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Life Sciences Sector Plan – What it Means for MedTech
The Life Sciences Sector Plan positions the UK as a global hub for scaling health innovation. With new capital injections, manufacturing incentives, export support and regulatory reform, the message is clear: MedTech is no longer peripheral – it is central to UK growth strategy. But delivering this vision means fixing deep-rooted challenges in scale-up finance, supply chains, and commercial maturity.
A Capital Shift for High-Growth MedTech
The British Business Bank will deploy £4 billion in growth capital to sectors named in the Industrial Strategy – including Life Sciences. MedTech SMEs may also benefit from direct investment rounds of up to £60 million, as well as transparency over VC performance data. This is designed to crowd in pension fund capital and help UK firms scale without relocating.
This marks a shift in tone – from viewing health tech as a policy issue, to treating it as a strategic economic asset.
Manufacturing Comes Home
Up to £520 million is being committed through the Life Sciences Innovative Manufacturing Fund (LSIMF), with additional bespoke support for investments over £250 million. The aim is to land globally mobile manufacturing into UK regions – with a strong emphasis on diagnostics, MedTech, and supply chain resilience.
MedTech innovators able to co-locate late-stage R&D and high-value manufacturing may now find public grants and local support far more accessible.
Exports and Partnerships – A Bolder Industrial Role
The Plan commits to landing at least one strategic industry partnership per year, alongside a new support service for 10–20 high-potential UK companies. UK Export Finance has £80bn in capacity to support health tech firms entering overseas markets, with stronger trade promotion through embassies, trade missions, and exhibitions.
If the industrial backing is delivered, MedTech innovators could see faster scale, less reliance on inward acquisition, and stronger export potential.
What’s Missing
There are big ambitions – but delivery depends on pipeline health and SME maturity. The UK has a long tail of early-stage firms, but few with the systems, talent, and capital to manufacture or export at scale. There’s also little clarity on the timelines or competitive criteria for LSIMF or export support schemes.
A broader challenge: the procurement, pricing, and evaluation frameworks inside the NHS remain disconnected from this industrial vision.
Our Take
The UK’s shift to industrialise health innovation is long overdue – and welcome. For MedTech SMEs, the combination of direct capital, export support, and regional hubs offers real opportunities. But long-term traction will depend on whether NHS adoption and industrial incentives align.
"MedTech is finally seen as growth infrastructure, not just care delivery. But unless NHS access improves, investment will drift offshore."– Richard, CEO, Health Analytical Solutions
Read the full government strategy UK Life Sciences Sector Plan (GOV.UK)
This is Chapter 2 of our explainer series. More to follow as investment, manufacturing, and procurement models develop.
If you have a technology aligned with the priorities of the UK Government Life Sciences Sector Plan, now is the time to act. We can help you navigate the evolving access landscape, shape your value story, and prepare for the next steps in your journey.
Get in touch: enquiry@healthanalyticalsolutions.co.uk or visit https://www.healthanalyticalsolutions.co.uk/services to explore how we can support you.
© Health Analytical Solutions 2025