HSBC Innovation Banking CEO: the next phase of UK innovation will be won quietly Opinion The next phase of UK innovation will be driven by deep tech, life sciences and infrastructure-heavy businesses, says Emily Turner The UK’s innovation economy is now worth $1.3tn. Artificial intelligence sits at the heart of that story, commanding headlines and capital in equal measure. But when we look at where long-term value is being created, [...]
UK and US agree to zero tariff deal on pharmaceuticals Business The government has agreed to a major deal with Washington that will see the UK become the only country to secure zero import tariffs on pharmaceutical products into the US for at least three years. The deal follows months of negotiations between the government and the Trump administration, after the June trade deal left the [...]
Shortage of skilled lawyers challenges UK life sciences sector Legal The UK market is experiencing a shortage of lawyers at life sciences businesses amid a growing need for talent to meet the rising demand for regulatory advice from businesses. A report from recruiter Major, Lindsey & Africa highlights a lack of UK candidates with expertise in legal, regulatory, and compliance matters, intellectual property (IP), and [...]
ABPI: UK aims high on life sciences, but investment lags behind July 16, 2025 The government’s newly unveiled Life Sciences Sector Plan lays out an ambition to position the UK as a global life sciences leader by 2030. But the pharmaceutical industry has pushed back, warning that without major reforms to medicine funding and pricing, the strategy risks underdelivering. Published on Wednesday as part of government’s Industrial Strategy, the [...]
Astrazeneca cancels £450m vaccine plant, blaming state funding cut January 31, 2025 Astrazeneca has cancelled a planned £450m investment in a vaccine manufacturing plant in Merseyside, saying Labour have failed to match the previous government’s offer of funding. It sees the pharmaceutical firm scrap plans to expand its existing facility in Speke, as announced by then-chancellor Jeremy Hunt at last year’s March budget, as first reported by [...]
‘Don’t squander the scientific opportunity of a lifetime’, Lords warns UK January 14, 2025 The UK must take urgent action to reverse its declining leadership in engineering biology to avoid ‘squandering the scientific opportunity of a lifetime’. The House of Lords released a report today cautioning that without bold government intervention and increased private sector investment, Britain risks losing out on vast economic potential. Engineering biology, an evolving field [...]
Science Group hikes share buyback programme despite dip in revenue July 23, 2024 Record profit first half profit at Science Group driven by a well choreographed turnaround at one of its major brands helped the consultancy and systems specialist to increase its share buyback programme.
British Patient Capital invests £90m London biotech company July 8, 2024 British Patient Capital recently also invested £10m into biotech firm Curve Therapeutics to support its cancer drug discovery technology.
Life sciences Syncona struggles on amid oncology investments June 20, 2024 Life sciences investor Syncona is banking on a recovery in biotech as it has struggled to keep up its share price over recent years.
Election 2024: Labour will be ‘partner’ not ‘barrier’ to innovation June 11, 2024 A Labour government will be a “partner that can unlock potential”, not a “barrier” to innovation, shadow minister Peter Kyle has pledged.