The life science industry is comprised of the pharmaceutical, medical biotechnology and medical technology sectors.
Companies
In 2010 there were 7,055 life science companies in the UK. There are 995 life science companies in London, 14% of the UK total.
The majority of these companies were in the pharmaceutical sector and a large number were involved in the manufacture of medical and dental instruments.
Start-ups
With the concentration of medical, dental and pharmacy higher education in London, and the close links between the life science industry and academia, it is not surprising that London has a high number of life science companies start up.
Over the period from 2005-2009 there were 37 life science start ups in London. The graph below shows how this number compares with the other regions in the UK.
Number of people employed
10,400 people were employed in London’s life science industry in 2009 – 7% of the UK’s life science employees.
The life science industry tends to be comprised of small and medium enterprises. In 2008 73% of London’s life science companies employed 1-4 people, 86% employed 10 people or fewer.
This is broadly similar to the pattern across the UK where 63% of life science companies employed 1-4 people and 77% employed 10 people or fewer.
