The binational region linking San Diego, Imperial County and Baja California has become one of North America’s most important hubs for medical device manufacturing. A June 2026 overview from the Tijuana Economic Development Corporation (Tijuana EDC), drawing on industry and market research sources, outlines how the Cali Baja biomedical corridor works and where it is headed. Here are the key takeaways.
1. A US$250 billion binational mega-region
The Cali Baja region is described as a roughly 150-mile economic corridor valued at more than US$250 billion. Together, the Medical Device Cluster of the Californias and the Cali-Baja Biotech Cluster count more than 850 companies, including global names such as Medtronic, BD, Stryker and Abbott Laboratories, which announced a US$200 million electrophysiology plant expansion earlier this year.
2. A large, specialized workforce
More than 80 major medical device manufacturers operate in Baja California, employing over 74,000 workers, according to figures cited by Tijuana EDC. Tijuana alone has 73 active medical device facilities, staffed by workers familiar with U.S. FDA quality-system requirements (21 CFR Part 820). Proximity is a key advantage: Tijuana plants sit about 30 minutes from San Diego research labs.
3. San Diego’s innovation engine
On the U.S. side, San Diego’s life sciences sector directly employed 75,816 people and generated US$56.6 billion in total economic output in 2023, according to Biocom data cited in the overview. Research institutions such as UC San Diego, Scripps Research and the Salk Institute develop technologies and prototypes that can move into production across the border.
4. New investment keeps arriving
Tijuana attracted eight new greenfield medical device investments between January 2024 and January 2025, according to talent-research firm KiTalent.
5. US$3.2 billion in exports
The region’s medical device sector exports about US$3.2 billion a year, with roughly 88% going directly to U.S. original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) — a sign of how deeply Tijuana plants are integrated into U.S. supply chains.
6. Otay II port of entry
The planned Otay Mesa East / Otay II port of entry is projected to open in 2026–2027. It is intended to cut border wait times and divert commercial and private traffic, a critical factor for companies moving components and finished devices across the border daily.
7. A growing talent gap
Regional universities produce roughly 345 biomedical and advanced-manufacturing engineering graduates per year — enough to cover only about 40% of projected technical openings. In response, about 40% of surveyed facilities planned to deploy CNC machine-tending robots by the second quarter of 2026.
8. Running near full capacity
The cluster is operating at an estimated 89% capacity, and companies now plan 18 to 24 months ahead to secure industrial space.
Why it matters for Tijuana’s medical community
Tijuana is known internationally for medical tourism, but the city is also a manufacturing center for the devices used in hospitals around the world — from catheters to cardiovascular products. Continued investment, new border infrastructure and workforce development will shape whether the region can keep growing, and whether more design and engineering work follows the manufacturing.
Note: Tijuana EDC is a regional economic development organization that promotes investment in Tijuana. Figures in this article are as reported in its overview, which cites Beyond Borders News, Co-production, Start-Ops México, KiTalent and Biocom.
Resumen en español
El corredor biomédico Cali Baja, que une San Diego, el Condado Imperial y Baja California, se valora en más de 250 mil millones de dólares y reúne a más de 850 empresas. Según Tijuana EDC, en Baja California operan más de 80 fabricantes de dispositivos médicos con más de 74,000 trabajadores, y Tijuana cuenta con 73 plantas activas. El sector exporta cerca de 3,200 millones de dólares al año, principalmente a fabricantes estadounidenses. Entre los retos destacan la escasez de ingenieros especializados y una ocupación industrial cercana al 89%, mientras que la nueva garita Otay II promete agilizar el cruce fronterizo.
Source: “Cali Baja biomedical manufacturing corridor: 8 key facts,” Tijuana EDC, June 4, 2026.
