ABPI Competitiveness Report 2026: Green Shoots for UK Life Sciences Investment

Supported by £2 billion of new industry investment committed over the past year, the report demonstrates growing global confidence in the UK’s research ecosystem. The findings highlight significant strengths and performance gains across UK clinical research delivery:

• Accelerated regulatory approvals: Marketing authorisation review times at the Medicines & Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) have improved, with 98 per cent of clinical trial applications now assessed within 60 days.
• Transforming health data assets: The £600 million Health Data Research Service offers a national capability to turn health data into a major driver for life sciences research.
• Driving national economic growth: Accelerating investment across all stages of health research and delivery could create up to 81,300 new jobs by 2035 and increase the sector’s direct economic contribution to £33.4 billion annually 
• Strengthened infrastructure: The ABPI emphasises that “recent investments in the UK’s health data, clinical trials, and regulatory offers create an opportunity to move from the middle of the pack to global leadership.”

While noting areas for ongoing focus such as patient recruitment, the report highlights how targeted investments in UK research infrastructure and regulatory delivery are rebuilding the UK’s position as a world-leading destination for clinical trials and healthcare innovation. Read the full report. 

UK Clinical Research Delivery performance metrics show that average set-up times for commercial interventional clinical trials have fallen from 169 days to 122 days. View the official figures on GOV.UK