London life science venture capital investment hits €2.6b record

Venture capital investment in London’s life science sector reached £2.2 bn (€2.6 bn) for the year-to-date as of mid-June 2026, according to data from Savills.

Life sciences

This amount already surpasses the total investment for the entire preceding year.

Presented at the real estate advisor's annual Science conference, the figures indicate a 50% increase in funding compared to the same period in 2025, heavily influenced by Isomorphic Labs' significant £1.55 bn (€1.83 bn) deal.

While acknowledging that investment volumes into dedicated AI firms currently outpace those in life sciences, Savills highlighted that the integration of AI is expanding the scope and growth potential of the UK science industry. The research suggests that strategic partnerships between pharmaceutical companies and AI specialists, particularly to accelerate drug discovery, are becoming a standard operational model for ambitious firms.

Tom Mellows, head of Science, Savills, commented: “The ‘pure’ AI requirements which have driven substantial amounts of take-up across London this year are the vanguard of a new phase for the UK science sector: it is broadening and maturing as science occupiers look to embed AI within their research. While activity has, so far, been focused in the capital, almost inevitably more requirements will be coming to locations such as Oxford and Cambridge, given their established expertise. This evolution in how science research is undertaken is impacting what occupiers need from their buildings, be it dry or wet lab space, cleanrooms, data centres, pilot plants or advanced manufacturing.”