What is contributing to the predicted UK growth in life sciences?
The UK life sciences sector is poised for significant growth, with projections indicating a need for 145,000 new and replacement jobs over the next decade to maintain its global leadership. This demand spans various roles, from research and development to manufacturing and regulatory affairs.Research Professional News
Regions like Liverpool are at the forefront of this expansion. The city has become a notable hub for life sciences, particularly in vaccine development and infectious disease research. Major investments, such as Bristol Myers Squibb’s new £35 million laboratory in Leasowe and AstraZeneca’s potential £450 million expansion in Speke, underscore this growth. These developments are expected to create thousands of jobs and attract up to £800 million in investment over the next decade. The Guardian
The UK’s commitment to advancing its life sciences sector presents an opportunity to not only drive economic growth but also to make significant contributions to global health and innovation.
- The pharmaceutical industry invests £9 billion a year in UK research and development
- The industry delivers £17.6 billion in direct gross value added (GVA) to the British economy
- The pharmaceutical sector is the UK’s third-largest good exporting industry at £26.1 billion
To support its growth, the UK government, through the Office for Life Sciences, has outlined a vision to make the UK a global leader in life sciences by 2031. This includes building on world-class research capabilities, leveraging the NHS for innovation, and creating a conducive business environment for life science companies.
Addressing the talent gap will require a multifaceted approach. Emphasising skill-based hiring, expanding apprenticeships, and investing in vocational training can help build a diverse and skilled workforce. Collaborations between academia, industry, and government will be crucial in developing the necessary infrastructure and programs to meet the sector’s evolving needs.
What can the UK improve to encourage further growth in life sciences?
Although the UK continues to lead in scientific discovery, when it comes to scaling those discoveries into products and technologies, we’re falling short. Too often, companies are taking their groundbreaking ideas elsewhere to manufacture and commercialise because the UK still lacks the infrastructure, incentives, and policy support needed to keep advanced manufacturing at home.
Until we fix this, our ambitions for science superpower status are premature.
The numbers are sobering. Manufacturing’s contribution to UK GDP – across all sectors, not just life sciences – has halved over the past 20 years. Meanwhile, other countries, particularly across Europe and North America, are doubling down on production, investing heavily in facilities and incentives that keep innovation local.
If we want to lead in life sciences, we can’t continue outsourcing the very manufacturing that brings ideas to life. The government has signalled the right intent, but we need more than vision. We need a concrete strategy to rebuild and future-proof our manufacturing base.
This isn’t just about economic returns – though they are substantial. It’s about resilience. Countries with end-to-end capability, from lab bench to production line, are better positioned to attract and retain top talent and industry investment. Without a robust domestic manufacturing ecosystem, we risk becoming a nation of great ideas, commercialised somewhere else.
Looking Beyond the Golden Triangle
Success stories like DeepMind, AstraZeneca, and the universities of the so-called Golden Triangle – London, Oxford, and Cambridge. These institutions are world-leading, no doubt. But the UK’s life sciences strengths are far more geographically diverse.
Regions like Manchester, the West Midlands, and Wales are brimming with talent, innovation, and potential. If the goal is to truly “level up” the economy and drive national growth, we must move beyond the South East and invest in the life sciences capabilities of the whole UK.
Biotech spinouts offer a clear example. Between 2011 and 2021, Oxford, Cambridge, Imperial, and UCL generated 524 spinouts (172 of them in life sciences) more than 50% above the next ten universities combined. It’s a testament to their excellence, but also a reminder of how concentrated investment and infrastructure remain.
Fixing the Skills Pipeline
Skills and talent are another piece of the puzzle. At Davos, the Chancellor spoke about attracting the world’s best minds to the UK. International talent is vital for our continued leadership in science and innovation. However, we’re making it unnecessarily difficult with UK visa costs are among the highest in the world and up to 17 times more expensive than in the US, Canada, or Australia. Add slow processing times, and it’s easy to see why skilled scientists and entrepreneurs might look elsewhere.
If we’re serious about attracting global talent, we need to overhaul the system – make it faster, cheaper, and more competitive.
In conclusion, it seems that the UK has what it takes to be a global life sciences leader. We have the brains, the institutions, and the innovation. But without a plan to manufacture what we invent, support regional growth, and attract top talent, we risk watching the benefits of our discoveries flourish elsewhere.
It’s time for a joined-up strategy that turns our scientific strengths into sustained economic success.
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