The UK biotech industry is at the forefront of the global science and technology domain. It is steering groundbreaking innovations that are transforming healthcare. With continuous advancements, it is improving treatments, expanding patient care, and creating the future of biotech solutions.
With rapid progress in bioengineering, biopharmaceuticals, and medical technology, the UK has firmly established itself as a global innovator. With remarkable progress in bioscience advancements and bio-pharma developments, the country continues to push the limits of what’s possible in modern healthcare.
Several UK-based companies are leading the charge with groundbreaking med-tech and pharma tech solutions. Here are five biotech companies that are set to make a significant impact in 2025.
1. Relation Therapeutics
Relation Therapeutics is at the forefront of UK health innovation, using artificial intelligence to accelerate drug discovery. The company integrates AI with medical biotech innovations, making drug development faster and more efficient.
In 2025, the company entered into a $300 million partnership with GSK to develop treatments for osteoarthritis and fibrotic diseases. As part of the deal, the company received $45 million in upfront funding, allowing it to further upgrade its machine learning capabilities in drug development.
A key part of its approach is the Osteomics platform, the world’s largest single-cell bone atlas. This technology helps identify new therapeutic targets for osteoporosis, a disease that affects 45 million people across the US, Europe, and Japan, particularly postmenopausal women and older men.
Relation’s collaboration with NVIDIA has also strengthened its research efforts. By gaining access to CAMBRIDGE-1, the UK’s most advanced supercomputer, the company has expanded its ability to analyse vast biological datasets. Through tissue profiling, single-cell analysis, and genetic sequencing, Relation Therapeutics is revolutionising AI-driven drug discovery and developing the way for breakthrough treatments in biopharmaceuticals.
2. Quell Therapeutics
Quell Therapeutics specialises in T regulatory (Treg) cell therapies to treat autoimmune diseases and promote transplant acceptance. The company made headlines in 2025 by advancing clinical trials for its lead programs, including therapies aimed at preventing rejection of liver transplants.
In 2023, Quell entered a $2 billion licensing deal with AstraZeneca to develop treatments for type-1 diabetes and inflammatory bowel disease. By engineering Treg cells, Quell’s therapies regulate the immune system, reducing inflammation and preventing autoimmune attacks.
With strong backing from investors and pharmaceutical giants, Quell Therapeutics is making significant strides in the field of bio solutions for auto-immune and inflammatory diseases.
3. Touchlight
Touchlight, a biotechnology company, is redefining the future of gene therapy and DNA-based therapeutics. The company's doggybone DNA (dbDNA™) technology uses enzymes to create synthetic DNA faster and more efficiently than existing methods.
In 2025, Touchlight signed a non-exclusive DNA manufacturing license agreement with GSK, allowing its synthetic DNA technology to be used in the production of mRNA-based vaccines. The company also gained GMP accreditation for its Hampton, UK plant, giving it the world's first synthetic DNA manufacturer to obtain regulatory permission for Active Pharmaceutical Ingredient (API) production.
Touchlight's breakthrough is poised to play a significant role in the bio economy, with applications including gene therapy, mRNA vaccinations, and cancer treatments.
4. Pear Bio
Pear Bio is advancing medical technology by integrating organ-on-a-chip models with computer vision to simulate the human tumor microenvironment. This discovery enables researchers to assess new medications, comprehend the course of cancer, and personalise treatment plans for patients.
The business expanded into precision oncology with the help of a $14 million Series A funding round led by Octopus Ventures. Pear Bio has been improving pharmaceutical R&D and assisting oncologists in making better treatment decisions by utilising AI-powered tumour modelling.
Pear Bio’s innovative approach is establishing the way for personalised therapeutics and precision medicine, raising the benchmark for the UK biotechnology industry.
5. Oxford Nanopore Technologies
A pioneer in Europe's biotech sector, Oxford Nanopore Technologies is redefining DNA and RNA sequencing with its portable and scalable solutions. The business, which was established in 2005 as a spin-off from the University of Oxford, has led the way in real-time sequencing applications for commercial, research, and diagnostic applications.
In 2025, Oxford Nanopore is set to integrate proteomics into its sequencing platforms, unlocking deeper insights into biological functions beyond genomics. The company reported a £183 million ($228.4 million) revenue in 2024, marking an 8% increase from the previous year, signaling strong growth in industrial, clinical, and biopharmaceutical applications.
Oxford Nanopore's expertise to deliver quick, cost-effective sequencing solutions is an important consideration in the advancement of biopharmaceutical and healthcare research in the UK.
The UK is progressing bioscience in several domains and securing its place as the global centre for biopharmaceuticals and healthcare biotech solutions. Be it AI-driven drug discovery or personalised gene therapies, these five companies exemplify the strength and potential of the UK biotech industry.
As the UK’s biotech industry evolves, platforms that bring together forward-thinking companies, researchers, and investors become essential in accelerating progress.
The London Biotechnology Show 2025 is set to be the biggest and most influential biotechnology showcase. It will highlight the latest discoveries and emerging biotechnologies that are redefining biotech in Europe and beyond. Connect with top biotech brands and leading industry thinkers, and present your innovations on a global stage. Register now and make your mark in this fast-evolving industry.
