Life Sciences

The UK life sciences sector is one of the most advanced in the world. From genomics to medical devices, from clinical trials to advanced manufacturing, the UK offers a unique combination of world-class research, NHS scale, and deep industrial expertise.

The Life Sciences Sector Plan sets out how government and industry will work together across three interconnected pillars: enabling world-class R&D and making the UK an outstanding place to start, grow, scale and invest; driving health innovation; and NHS reform. Together, these pillars will build a globally competitive, self-sustaining life sciences ecosystem

Year-one highlights include:

  • Landmark UK–US pharmaceuticals arrangement securing a more preferential tariff position for the UK than any other country, with life sciences exports to the US worth at least £5 billion a year
  • Over £843 million of private investment unlocked through the Life Sciences Innovative Manufacturing Fund (LSIMF), with £115 million committed to ten projects creating 487 jobs and safeguarding a further 1,330
  • AstraZeneca's £300 million UK investment, including completion of the Rosalind Franklin building on the Cambridge Biomedical Campus and £100 million for its Macclesfield site, creating a 'Lab of the Future'
  • Commercial clinical trial set-up times reduced by almost a third on average in 2025, making the UK one of the fastest and most attractive locations for global trials
  • UCB's £500 million investment in a state-of-the-art research and early manufacturing hub in Windlesham, Surrey, backed by LSIMF
  • £50 million Local Innovation Partnerships Fund award in Greater Manchester, focused on genomics, diagnostics, personalised medicine and applied AI
  • These are not one-off decisions. They are part of a long-term plan giving life sciences businesses the confidence to invest, hire, and grow.

These are not one-off decisions. They are part of a long-term plan giving life sciences businesses the confidence to invest, hire, and grow.

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Ruth Chapman Executive Managing Director at Dulas Ltd

"InnovateUK helped us bring in specialist engineering expertise that's directly improving our products. That's the kind of practical support that helps a Welsh SME compete globally."

Sector Plan

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The Life Sciences Jobs Plan will set out how government and industry will work together to build the skills pipeline and create thousands of secure, well-paid jobs across the sector and across the country.

Sector Planopens assets.publishing.service.gov.uk in a new tab
LS 7

A Life Sciences Jobs Plan will be published this summer. It will set out how government and industry will work together to build the skills pipeline and create thousands of secure, well-paid jobs in the sector.

A targeted mix of support for the sector

LS 9

£600m Health Data Research Services Access to large-scale, high-quality health data to support R&D and accelerate clinical trials — giving life sciences businesses a competitive edge that is unique to the UK.

Find out moreopens healthdatagateway.org in a new tab
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Faster clinical trials The government is reducing commercial clinical trial set-up times by almost a third on average in 2025 — making the UK one of the fastest and most attractive locations for global trials.

Find out moreopens www.gov.uk in a new tab

Support and funding for your life sciences business

Whether you are a research spinout, a growing medical devices company, or an established pharmaceutical manufacturer, there is a range of support available to help you grow.

Support to grow your business

Access a broad package of support designed to help businesses scale more quickly, at lower cost, and with greater ease, including

  • • Step-by-step guidance through the practical steps to scale your business
  • • Overview of funding, grants and financial incentives available
  • • Information on events and networks relevant to the business sector and industry

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