The UK has attracted more than £3 billion in public and private investment into its life sciences sector over the past year, as the government says its strategy is delivering faster access to
medicines, creating thousands of skilled jobs and strengthening Britain's position as a global centre for medical innovation.
An annual update on the government's Life Sciences Sector Plan, published on Thursday, said the investment reflects growing international confidence in the UK's science, healthcare and research industries. Ministers say the strategy is already helping patients receive innovative treatments sooner while supporting economic growth across the country.
One of the most significant developments has been the reduction in the time required to begin clinical trials. Average trial set-up times have fallen from 169 days to 122 days during the first half of the 2025-26 financial year, exceeding the government's target. Officials also said a streamlined approval process involving the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) and the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) is expected to allow NHS patients to access newly approved medicines up to six months earlier than before.
Among the treatments now reaching patients is the world's first immunotherapy for type 1 diabetes, approved for use by the NHS in England and Wales last month.
The government also unveiled a new jobs strategy designed to support the expansion of the sector, with plans to help fill 66,000 additional life sciences roles by 2035. The programme will focus on developing skills in areas including laboratory science, chemistry, software engineering and advanced manufacturing through apprenticeships, technical education and lifelong learning initiatives.
Life sciences already contribute around £147 billion annually to the UK economy and employ approximately 360,000 people. Nearly half of those jobs are located outside London and south-east England.
Several major pharmaceutical companies have announced significant investments over the past year. AstraZeneca is investing £300 million in facilities in Cambridge and Macclesfield, including artificial intelligence-driven drug discovery. Moderna has opened a new innovation centre in Harwell backed by a £1 billion UK research and development commitment over the next decade. Belgian drugmaker UCB is investing £500 million in a new research hub in Surrey focused on treatments for immune-related diseases.
The government said these investments are helping to strengthen regional economies while expanding Britain's research and manufacturing capabilities.
Another milestone announced on Thursday was the formal incorporation of the Health Data Research Service (HDRS), which aims to simplify secure access to NHS health data for approved researchers. Ministers say the service will reduce bureaucracy and accelerate medical research by allowing scientists to spend less time navigating complex data systems.
The Life Sciences Sector Plan forms part of the government's wider industrial strategy, which aims to make the UK the world's third-largest life sciences economy by 2035. Officials say government-backed programmes, including the £520 million Life Sciences Innovative Manufacturing Fund, have already attracted more than £700 million in additional private investment and created or safeguarded more than 1,300 jobs.
The government also highlighted its pharmaceutical agreement with the United States, saying it will help maintain access to new medicines for NHS patients while securing zero tariffs on UK pharmaceutical exports to the US.
Ministers argue that continued investment in research, skills and manufacturing will not only improve patient care but also reinforce the UK's position as one of the world's leading destinations for life sciences innovation.
