The UK’s life sciences sector is set for a major innovation surge, with over £74 million in government and industry funding announced to back cutting-edge research.
The investment will accelerate breakthroughs in AI-driven medicines manufacturing, recycling nuclear fuel into cancer radiotherapies, and tackling antibiotic resistance.
The funding includes £54 million for eight R&D projects under the Sustainable Medicines Manufacturing Innovation Programme, delivered by Innovate UK and supported by the VPAG Investment Programme. Industry partners are contributing an additional £20 million, reinforcing Britain’s position as a global leader in life sciences.
Projects will focus on:
- AI and robotics to make medicine production more efficient and less wasteful
- Recycling anaesthetic gases, saving the NHS up to £5 million annually and reducing environmental impact
- Converting spent nuclear fuel into next-generation cancer treatments
- Developing engineered bacteriophage products to combat antibiotic-resistant infections
The Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency will receive nearly £1 million to address regulatory challenges around bacteriophage therapies, ensuring innovation is safe and effective.
Dr Zubir Ahmed, Health and Innovation Minister, said:
“From innovative cancer treatments to arming our clinicians in the fight against antimicrobial resistance, this government is backing Britain as a life sciences and medical technology powerhouse.
“The NHS has been a pioneer since its creation, and it falls to our generation to continue this by harnessing technological and scientific advances.
“I am confident that if we combine the ingenuity of our leading scientists with the might of our NHS, we can deliver a health service which is once again there for its patients and the envy of the world.”
This announcement coincides with London Life Sciences Week, where ministers, investors and researchers gather at Downing Street to showcase the UK’s thriving sector. Recent figures highlight the UK’s dominance: London-based firms raised £1.6 billion in venture capital in 2025, more than triple Paris, cementing Britain as Europe’s life sciences hub.
Life sciences generate £150 billion in annual turnover and support over 300,000 jobs nationwide, making the sector a cornerstone of the UK’s Industrial Strategy and future economic growth.
Image credit: iStock
