A clock is ticking on the future of Britain’s life sciences sector, and time is running out. A rapid succession of investment cancellations and corporate retreats has created a sense of extreme urgency, with experts warning that the government has one last chance to act before the decline becomes irreversible.
The alarm bells are ringing louder than ever. MSD’s decision to scrap a £1 billion research centre was a watershed moment, demonstrating the severity of the crisis. This was quickly followed by Eli Lilly placing its own investment on hold and Sanofi halving its UK clinical trials, each move shortening the time available for a rescue mission.
The crisis is a result of long-festering wounds that have been left untreated. The industry has consistently highlighted the damaging effects of the UK’s drug pricing policies, low healthcare spending, and punitive clawback taxes. Political gridlock, particularly the Treasury’s resistance to change, has meant that no effective remedy has been applied.
While the UK’s foundational strengths in science and academia provide a window of opportunity, that window is closing fast. The commercial infrastructure is crumbling, and with it, the country’s ability to capitalize on its own discoveries. The government must now act with the speed and decisiveness that the moment demands, or the clock will simply run out.
