South West Life Sciences - our ecosystem

fastest growing UK life sciences sector for employment (West)

Value of life sciences and tech-related ecosystem (West)

Inward investment (West)

Five component industries locally in South West life sciences sector

Core biopharmaceuticals
Biopharmaceuticals service and supply
Core medical technology
Digital service and supply
Agri-food

Number of South West life sciences companies

people employed in South West sector

How we support life sciences in the South West

Visibility

Increasing the visibility of the region’s life sciences sector organisations and assets.

Ecosystem

Fostering a joined up local life sciences innovation ecosystem, and acting as catalyst for its growth through making connections.

Advocacy

Advocating for our members and the South West’s life sciences so that their voice is heard outside the region by government, industry, investors and international organisations.

Sustainability

Our longer-term objective is to develop South West Life Sciences into an independent organisation and expand the services and business support it provides to its members.

Our mission

Enabling connections and increasing the visibility of life sciences within the South West’s ecosystem and beyond.

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Our vision

The life sciences sector in the South West is recognised nationally and internationally for excellence in research and innovation, establishing the region as a High Potential Opportunity (HPO) for increased inward investment, collaboration and growth.

Our partners

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Elevating the South West’s digital health capability (LEAP)

LEAP, a groundbreaking Digital Health Hub, launched in 2023 and funded by £3.26 million from the Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC), will catalyse innovation, research and collaboration in the South West of England and Wales.

See case study

Reducing risk of cerebral palsy in preterm babies

Magnesium sulphate (MgSO4) given during preterm labour reduces the relative risk of cerebral palsy in very preterm infants. University of Bristol research showed that uptake was inconsistent in UK hospitals, despite being cost-effective. To increase uptake of MgSO4, PReCePT (Prevention of cerebral palsy in pre-term labour) was developed by Health Innovation West of England with University Hospitals Bristol and Weston NHS Foundation Trust.

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Expanding deep tech startup capacity in the South West

Bristol’s deep tech incubators support scientists to take discoveries off the shelf and into the real world. Science Creates has secured £8.5m to open a third deep tech incubator in the city. From 2024, a new 30,000 sq ft building will provide capacity to incubate 275 new spin-out companies from West of England universities and beyond.

See case study