London, Oxford and Cambridge have long been the heartlands of the UK life sciences sector, but other regions across the country are now rapidly emerging as centres of innovation. The Midlands, the North of England, Scotland and Northern Ireland are developing strong capabilities in medtech, diagnostics, precision medicine and biomanufacturing, contributing to a more balanced and resilient national ecosystem.
Midlands: a leading medtech and manufacturing cluster
The Midlands has become one of the UK’s most dynamic regional life sciences hubs. It is home to more than a thousand medtech and healthcare companies employing over thirty thousand people in highly skilled roles. The region’s life sciences sector generates billions in economic value each year, underpinned by a powerful network of universities, hospitals and manufacturing supply chains.
Several universities in the Midlands host leading medical schools and clinical research units, supporting innovation that bridges academia, the NHS and industry. The region also benefits from a strong manufacturing base, allowing companies to move from prototype to production without leaving the region. This combination of scientific excellence and industrial capability has made the Midlands an attractive destination for investors seeking scalable medtech and diagnostics operations.
North of England: momentum in diagnostics and precision medicine
In the North, major cities such as Manchester, Liverpool and Leeds are gaining ground as hubs for diagnostics, digital health and precision medicine. Manchester’s life sciences cluster has seen a surge in investment and job creation, driven by the growth of start-ups and expanding laboratory space. Liverpool, meanwhile, has strengthened its position as a centre for vaccine development, diagnostics and infectious disease research, supported by its universities and industrial base.
These developments are helping to diversify the UK’s life sciences geography and reduce the dominance of the so-called “Golden Triangle” in the South East. By combining strong clinical research facilities, data-driven health capabilities and regional manufacturing expertise, the North of England is building a distinctive offer for life sciences investors.
Scotland and Northern Ireland: building advanced manufacturing and diagnostics capacity
Scotland is already home to one of Europe’s largest life sciences clusters, with particular strengths in medtech, diagnostics and data-driven healthcare. Its universities, research institutes and clinical networks have fostered a collaborative environment that supports early-stage innovation and commercial growth. The Edinburgh BioQuarter, for instance, brings together academic research, clinical practice and enterprise on a single site, serving as a model for integrated life sciences development.
Northern Ireland, though smaller in scale, is increasingly active in precision medicine, diagnostics and advanced manufacturing. Regional programmes are helping to attract new investment and develop specialist skills, particularly in data analytics and biomedical manufacturing. With strong links to both the Republic of Ireland and the wider UK network, Northern Ireland’s growing life sciences base is well positioned for export-led growth.
Drivers of regional growth and investment
Several factors are driving the expansion of regional life sciences hubs across the UK. Many of these regions benefit from established universities and NHS research infrastructure, enabling close collaboration between clinicians, academics and industry. Engineering and manufacturing strengths, particularly in the Midlands and North, support medtech production and biomanufacturing scale-up.
Regional investment programmes are also playing a role in rebalancing economic growth. The Midlands Engine and similar regional partnerships are targeting life sciences as a priority sector, offering support for infrastructure, business development and inward investment. Talent availability is another factor, with regional labour markets providing a strong supply of skilled workers at competitive costs compared with London and the South East.
Challenges and conditions for success
While the regional expansion of life sciences is gaining momentum, sustaining this growth will depend on addressing key challenges. High-quality laboratory and manufacturing space remains limited in some areas, and long-term investment is required to develop sites capable of meeting industry standards.
Talent remains another major constraint. Companies in all regions report difficulties recruiting specialists in biomedical engineering, data science and biomanufacturing. Addressing this requires sustained investment in education, skills and training at both local and national levels.
Access to finance and global networks will also be crucial. Many regional firms rely on links to London-based investors or international partners to scale. Strengthening these connections will help ensure that new life sciences clusters are not isolated but integrated into global research and supply chains.
Outlook: a more balanced national ecosystem
The continued growth of life sciences beyond London, Oxford and Cambridge is reshaping the geography of the UK’s innovation economy. By building regional clusters in the Midlands, the North, Scotland and Northern Ireland, the UK is broadening the base of its science and manufacturing capacity.
These regions now offer investors access to world-class research, advanced manufacturing facilities and skilled workforces in locations that combine affordability with innovation. If supported by sustained policy commitment, infrastructure development and talent investment, these clusters could play a pivotal role in the UK’s ambition to become a global leader in medtech, diagnostics, precision medicine and biomanufacturing.
A more geographically balanced life sciences sector would not only strengthen the national economy but also help ensure that the benefits of innovation are felt across all parts of the country.
