01 / Unlocking the UK’s life sciences manufacturing landscape 

In July the UK government published its new life sciences sector plan, setting ambitious goals to lead Europe in life sciences by 2030 and rank third globally behind China and the US by 2035. The plan allocates £520m towards manufacturing, targeting advanced therapies. It also aims to reduce the time taken for products to reach the market, streamlining the government’s Medicines and Healthcare Products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) and the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) approvals process.

Post-Brexit regulatory divergence and rising demand have stretched UK analytical and batch-testing infrastructure. A 2025 report from the Centre for Long-Term Resilience (CLTR) describes the UK as “perilously vulnerable” in its pharmaceutical manufacturing. 

This challenge presents a major opportunity for the UK to respond to this demand; both in upgrading existing so-called “good manufacturing practice” (GMP) facilities and in providing new facilities across the country. Strategic placement of these facilities, linked not just to universities but to areas such as major infrastructure hubs – an example of this being the Prologis and MAG partnership near East Midlands Airport and freeports – could unlock significant tax and customs benefits, reducing set-up and operating costs.

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