Life sciences and biotech investors in the UK
Life sciences companies tend to raise fewer but larger rounds, often backed by university venture arms, specialist funds and Innovate UK grants. Many show a long gap between first funding and later rounds. 1,251 investor-backed life sciences and biotech companies are in Pulse, and 80 raised a first funding round in the last year.
- Investor-backed companies
- 1,251
- Active investors, 2 years
- 6,352
- Rounds, 2 years
- 1,219
- Median round
- £368k
Who is investing
In the last two years 1,554 funds, firms and family offices and 4,776 angels took shares in life sciences and biotech companies, with the latest round in Nov 2026. These are the firms backing the most of these companies:
| Firm | Type | Companies |
|---|---|---|
| SFC Capital | Fund or investment firm | 63 companies |
| MNL Parkwalk | Fund or investment firm | 44 companies |
| The Chancellor, Masters and Scholars of the University of Oxford | University | 44 companies |
| The Chancellor, Masters and Scholars of the University of Cambridge | University | 29 companies |
| SFC BBI | Fund or investment firm | 28 companies |
| Imperial College Innovations Limited | University | 24 companies |
| SyndicateRoom | Fund or investment firm | 23 companies |
| University of Bristol | University | 19 companies |
See all 6,352 active investors, including angels, with what they've backed, estimated cheque sizes and who they invest alongside.
Rounds and valuations
Over the last two years, 1,219 funding rounds were raised by life sciences and biotech companies, an estimated £4.38bn, with a median round of about £368k. 80 of the companies raised their first priced round in the last 12 months. 31% of these valuations carry a High confidence rating.
How Life sciences and biotech compares
Life sciences and biotech companies make up 2% of the 74,284 investor-backed companies in Pulse. The median round of £368k is above the £176k median for the whole UK market. By stage, 373 are at venture stage, 243 are at seed, 169 are growth. The most active firm in these companies is SFC Capital, in 63 companies.
Questions
How many investors back life sciences and biotech companies?
Pulse found 6,352 outside investors taking shares in life sciences and biotech companies in the last two years: 1,554 funds, firms and family offices, and 4,776 angels.
How much do life sciences and biotech companies raise?
Over the last two years 1,219 rounds were raised, an estimated £4.38bn in total. The median round was about £368k.
How accurate are the amounts?
They are Pulse estimates, each with a confidence rating. 31% of recent valuations here carry a High confidence rating; the rest are marked Medium or Low.
Can I see every investor?
Pulse subscribers see every outside investor by name, with portfolios and co-investors, from £39.99 a month plus VAT (£47.99 inc. VAT). Contact details are not included and names are not linked to personal profiles.