The wobbly world of biotech

The UK biotech industry is amongst the biggest in Europe - so why is it so wobbly right now?

I’ve seen the impact first‑hand - several agri‑biotech companies have shut down recently, because the system around them couldn’t support growth. According to the British BioIndustry Association, international rivals have the capital to grow at a much faster rate. The UK has fallen significantly behind international competitors in terms of research and development investment.

In a report last year, the House of Lords Science and Technology Committee warned that without immediate action, the UK is at risk of losing it's leadership position in biotech:

"Britain is a world-leader in scientific innovation, with a heritage that is the envy of the world. But all too frequently, we are crashing into walls rather than smashing through ceilings"

“Pioneering companies urgently need to scale-up to become globally competitive – not get stuck in the investment ‘valley of death’... All too often we hear that when companies reach a certain size, they move abroad for better investment and development prospects, taking most of the economic benefit with them.”

Baroness Brown of Cambridge

The Government has pointed to new initiatives, including a £100M investment in Biotech Mission Hubs and Awards, as evidence of renewed commitment. But that hasn’t changed what I’ve witnessed first‑hand over the past few years: biotech companies with real promise shutting their doors, not because the science failed, but because the environment around them did.

Biotech matters. It’s central to tackling global challenges like disease, sustainability, and food insecurity. My hope is that, going forward, the UK provides stronger, steadier support for early‑stage biotech companies, and meaningful backing for those driving innovation and product development.