When one biotechnology company forms to shape nascent science into new medicines, others often follow. Venture capitalists, sensing an opportunity, swarm around an emerging area of research, leading to spurts of startup activity that result in clusters of new biotechs.

With its State of Play series, BioPharma Dive digs into these emerging hotspots of drugmaking research, examining what’s driving their formation, why they might offer a better alternative than what already exists and which companies are involved.

These stories are meant as introductory snapshots, offering an overview of what’s at stake. Often, the companies we profile aren’t that far along, perhaps just entering clinical testing with their first medicines. In other cases, we take a look at startups hoping to improve on existing standards of care by taking established science a step forward. Typically, they’re all the recipients of significant venture backing in the tens and hundreds of millions of dollars.

Here, we’ve collected the 13 State of Play stories we’ve already published, and will continue to add more as we go. Have an idea for an area of research deserving of more attention? Email us at [email protected].