The life sciences landscape in 2026 is being shaped by a new level of discipline. From AI moving into everyday operations to growing pressure on commercial performance, organisations are balancing innovation with execution. Here are seven key trends defining how in the industry is evolving this year.
PharmaMedic's Managing Director, Dr Malcolm Barratt-Johnson joined the National Careers Health Forum on Saturday 11th October, hosted by Developing Your Portfolio at Excel London.
A new report from The King’s Fund, NHS and Life Sciences Industry Partnerships: Collaborating to Improve Care, shows how working together can help the NHS improve care. The NHS is under pressure, and joining forces with the life sciences sector could bring in new ideas, tools, and support.
As part of its £650m ‘Life Sci for Growth’ scheme to boost the life sciences sector and the wider economy, the government will establish a Medicines Manufacturing Skills Centre of Excellence with a dedicated £5.5m fund.
A High Court judgment on a judicial review brought by the British Generic Manufacturers Association (BGMA) has dismissed the organisation’s claim that it was unfairly excluded from talks on the next Voluntary Scheme for Branded Medicines Pricing and Access (VPAS).
Figures from the ninth annual life sciences competitiveness indicators (LSCIs) report show that in 2022 the UK saw a substantial drop in foreign investment in its life sciences, compared to 2021. It fell to £1 billion from £1.9 billion, a drop of 47%. This saw the UK move down to ninth out of 18 comparator countries in 2021, from second place in 2021.
Four important themes for the life sciences were the focus of the Professional Industry Network Group (PING) conference, held in June 2023. These included the position of the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) post the COVID-19 pandemic, the implications of the Voluntary Scheme for Branded Medicines Pricing and Access (VPAS) and the proposed Voluntary Scheme for Pricing, Access and Growth (VPAG), plus whether there were adequate staffing and premises to support the sector.
The much anticipated O’Shaughnessy report examining commercial clinical trials in the UK was published at the end of May 2023. Its findings have prompted the UK government to initiate a series of actions, in response to its 27 recommendations, that are designed to make the UK a world leader in this important part of the life sciences industry.
The ‘Pro-innovation Regulation of Technologies Review – Life Sciences’, published at the end of May 2023, highlights areas where improvements can be made to the UK’s regulatory environment to further enable innovation and a thriving life sciences sector. It presents ambitious ideas on developing innovation pathways and ways to support and retain talent in the regulatory organisations to ensure speed to market for new products.
Chancellor Jeremy Hunt has announced a comprehensive ‘Life Sci for Growth’ package of support for the UK life sciences sector, designed to grow the economy through improving regulation around clinical trials, manufacturing, skills and infrastructure.
