The United Kingdom has become a global leader in scientific discovery.
At the heart of this success lies one of the top biotech cities in the world—Cambridge, UK.
The city has focused on strategic development to support its thriving ecosystem of life science companies.
In this article, you’ll learn why Cambridge, UK, is the best city to start your lab and expand operations.
Let’s dive in.
Image: The Discovery Centre (DISC)
Courtesy: AstraZeneca
As a cornerstone of the UK’s “Golden Triangle,” Cambridge is home to over 470 biotech companies and contributes £2.9 billion annually to the nation’s economy.
According to independent research by AstraZeneca, this figure is projected to increase by £1 billion and add 6,000 jobs by 2032.
The presence of multinational companies, like AstraZeneca, Pfizer, and GSK, bolsters Cambridge’s economic strength.
Smaller biotech companies and startups benefit from proximity to these established giants with opportunities for strategic partnerships.
One notable unicorn is CMR Surgical, founded in 2014 in Cambridge.
It has become a key player in the city’s life sciences ecosystem with its Versius Surgical System, a robotic platform that improves minimally invasive surgery.
By 2023, the company had performed over 15,000 surgeries in 20 countries.
It is currently valued at $3 billion, making it the UK’s largest private medical technology company.
With FDA approval in 2024, CMR entered the U.S. market, opening new opportunities for growth and showcasing Cambridge’s global impact on life science innovation.
Cambridge’s biotech ecosystem enjoys a constant influx of highly skilled talent from academic institutions within the Golden Triangle.
The high percentage of graduates in natural sciences, mathematics, and life sciences is double that seen in other G7 countries.
According to Labiotech and New Scientists, these universities graduate the best talent for life science companies.
Cambridge ranks 2nd for life sciences worldwide.
It supports over 100 spin-off companies and partners with biotech firms for joint research.
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Oxford ranks 3rd for life sciences worldwide.
Their alumni are well-prepared to accelerate drug discovery and therapeutic development.
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Imperial College London ranks 10th for life sciences worldwide.
Graduates are trained in lab-based techniques and entrepreneurial approaches.
This makes them versatile assets who can innovate at the intersection of science and business.
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University College London (UCL) ranks 20th for life sciences worldwide.
Their alumni bring valuable insight into the science and business of the biotech industry.
This training is invaluable for companies aiming to scale and manage complex biotech projects.
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Image: Wellcome Trust Sanger Institute
Courtesy: nbbj
Partnering with renowned research centres can help you accelerate R&D.
If you start your lab in Cambridge, you’ll have opportunities to collaborate with these world-class organisations.
Addenbrooke’s is a leading teaching hospital recognised for pioneering clinical research and patient-centred studies.
This gives you access to clinical trials and direct healthcare insights, crucial for developing patient-focused therapies.
With expertise in epigenetics, cell signalling, and immunology, Babraham Institute provides insight into molecular mechanisms of ageing and immune function.
This can help inform drug discovery or therapeutic development for life science companies.
The MRC LMB is renowned for contributing to major scientific advancements, including monoclonal antibodies.
Access to MRC LBM allows your company to tap into molecular techniques and highly advanced lab space.
A world leader in genomics and bioinformatics, the Wellcome Sanger Institute specialises in large-scale genomic research to understand complex diseases.
With genomic data and bioinformatics expertise, companies focusing on personalised medicine can make groundbreaking innovations.
Cambridge’s thriving life sciences hub offers access to innovation campuses built with fitted+ lab space.
At CamLIFE, we design lab spaces with flexible layouts, specialised equipment, and advanced infrastructure—all of which can evolve with your company’s needs.
Here’s a closer look at what makes CamLIFE the best location for life science companies:
Lab & Office Spaces
Location & Accessibility
Campus Amenities
Sustainability Initiatives
To learn more about CamLIFE, click here.
Global venture capital funds and initiatives like Start Codon and Innovate Cambridge support a robust funding ecosystem.
According to Business Weekly, life science companies in Cambridge collectively raised $1.341 billion in the past 12 months (to 11/11/2024).
One of the big winners was Bicycle Therapeutics.
Between November 1, 2023, and October 16, 2024, they raised $555 million through a Post-IPO Equity (PIPE) funding round on Nasdaq.
This investment, supported mainly by U.S. investors, pushed this startup’s total funding past $1 billion.
The UK is also home to many venture capital firms that invest in life science companies. Here are some of the key players:
Cambridge is the synapse connecting a powerful life science cluster within the UK’s Golden Triangle.
This area unites world-class talent, research, and resources—driving innovation and investment across the industry.
In this high-growth region, Cambridge benefits from strategic connections that amplify its role as a top biotech hub.
The Oxford-Cambridge Arc connects two of the UK’s leading academic and biomedical research hubs.
This region is expected to generate over a million jobs and add £200 billion to the UK economy by 2050.
The UK Innovation Corridor supports a thriving life sciences cluster between Cambridge and London.
This also allows companies to collaborate with London’s financial and healthcare sectors.
Cambridge has pledged net zero carbon emissions by 2030.
Initiatives like the Cambridge Climate Charter promote carbon footprint reduction among residents and businesses through active engagement.
The city’s waste strategy emphasises a circular economy.
It pushes for reusing, recycling, and reducing waste across community and business sectors.
Sustainable transport projects, including new cycling and walking routes, aim to lower emissions.
Energy-efficient building standards help reduce resource consumption in construction.
Together, these efforts create a greener environment and support sustainable business operations for life science companies.
Cambridge is a powerhouse of intellectual property.
The region stands out globally, filing 6,379 PCT patent applications and publishing 35,000 scientific articles over the past five years.
Cambridge University accounts for 12,117 scientific articles and 179 patent applications alone.
The region’s collaborative patent filings with major hubs like San Diego and Boston solidify its position in the global market.
This prolific contribution to the life sciences industry makes Cambridge a globally recognised biotech hub.
Cambridge’s appeal extends beyond the workplace.
It promotes a lifestyle with cultural richness and strong community networks.
This makes it ideal for people looking to combine career ambitions with a fulfilling personal life.
Cambridge offers academic lectures, art exhibitions, and musical performances to residents and visiting professionals.
Many people describe Cambridge as “a village” where informal social connections are highly valued.
This atmosphere allows professionals from diverse backgrounds to build supportive networks and foster collaboration.
Cambridge is expanding its infrastructure to accommodate growth, with plans for 14,000 new homes in the city and 33,500 by 2031.
The Local Transport and Connectivity Plan aims to double bus passenger journeys by 2030.
The Greater Cambridge Partnership is enhancing the city’s connectivity to support alternative and eco-friendly modes of transportation.
Considering all these advantages, Cambridge is the best city for life science companies.
And there’s no better place to fit out your lab than CamLIFE.
With our fitted labs, your company has everything it needs to make your next groundbreaking discovery.
Become part of Cambridge’s legacy of innovation.
Managing Director, Portfolio Leasing
jbetz@lfrep.com
Partner, Portfolio Leasing
nsherron@lfrep.com
+44 7870 555 955
tmellows@savills.com
+07977 030175
Samuel.denehy@savills.com
+44 7793 808 114
max.bryan@bidwells.co.uk
+44 7879 667 543
dick.wise@bidwells.co.uk
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