HCP and BioMed Realty, two of the nation's largest publicly-traded owners of life sciences space, offered largely upbeat updates on their leasing, financing, and first-quarter results during separate conference calls earlier this week following release of their quarterly financial results.

HCP said occupancy at its 100 life sciences properties inched to 91.4 percent during the first quarter from 91.1 at the end of 2008, and 91 percent in the year-ago quarter.