UK biotech funding resilient amid global headwinds

The BioIndustry Association (BIA) has published new data revealing that the UK’s life sciences sector attracted £1.23 billion ($1.66 billion) in venture capital (VC) investment in the first half of 2025, thereby putting it on track to match or surpass 2024’s total.

During the first quarter, which saw a record-breaking £881 million invested, there were two landmark financings, one being the £449 million for Isomorphic Labs and Verdiva Bio’s £327 million.

Meanwhile, the second quarter fell in line with global trends to £344 million and, though it saw fewer mega-deals, is significant not just through highlighting the exceptional quarter preceding it but also by way of standout raises from Draig Therapeutics of £107 million and CellCentric’s £90.3 million, which communicate continuing dynamism in the sector.