Move over, Kendall Square.
Folks in the biotech nerve center may shudder at the notion. But the next miracle drug for lung cancer or epilepsy is just as likely to emerge from Arsenal Yards in Watertown or the shadow of Fenway Park.
The spread of the biotech sector — to smaller clusters in Boston, Watertown, Waltham, and beyond — picked up speed in recent years as Cambridge became congested and the cost of lab space skyrocketed. Even with demand for lab space dampening in the past year as startups retrenched, the newer clusters have capitalized on lower rents and more ample space to compete with Cambridge for biopharma tenants.