UK delivering innovation and efficiency to global cell and gene therapy sector, BIA report finds
London, UK, 8 December 2025 – The BioIndustry Association (BIA) today releases its report, UK cell and gene therapy: driving efficiencies and innovation, demonstrating the real-world success and scalable manufacturing available in the UK’s globally competitive ecosystem.
The report provides a comprehensive analysis of the UK cell and gene therapy (CGT) sector, focused on the innovative technologies and strategic investments that are driving scale. UK-based companies are actively addressing manufacturing bottlenecks through automation and digitalisation, and this emphasis on operational excellence will be key to unlocking future success.
Why now? – Policy responding to patient needs
The report underscores how the UK is delivering on the CGT promise, moving treatments from lab to life-saving reality. It comes following NICE’s approval of UCL spinout Autolus’ CAR-T therapy (obe-cel), a landmark achievement enabling hundreds of people with aggressive leukaemia to access a potentially life-saving treatment. This success validates the strength of the UK’s ecosystem and is a direct outcome of the collaboration and world-class infrastructure the UK has built over the last decade.
How? – Technology and manufacturing
On the technology front, automation is redefining scale-up. UK innovators such as eXmoor, Autolomous, Cellular Origins and Sartorius are deploying advanced automation and single-use technologies to slash manufacturing costs, reduce manual error, and accelerate batch release by up to 86%. These breakthroughs position the UK as a leader in efficient, high-quality CGT production, building on momentum from the recent bioProcessUK conference.
The report points to several case studies to exemplify this: Autolomous’ digital platform cut quality assurance review time by 65%, saving 100 FTE days; Cellular Origins’ robotic automation reduced labour needs by 16 times and cut costs by 51%; and Sartorius achieved a 45% reduction in cost of goods through automated platforms.
The opportunity – Investment and competitiveness
UK CGT has experienced a significant surge in total capital, peaking at £3.7 billion in 2021, mirroring global biotech trends. While subsequent years saw a contraction, investment has stabilised at levels substantially above pre-2018 baselines, demonstrating sustained investor confidence in the sector's long-term fundamentals. Venture capital continues to underpin early-stage growth, with deal-making increasing significantly between 2015 and 2021, rising from 15 to 50 deals and peaking at £1.2 billion in investment in 2021. Public markets have supported scale-up through landmark IPOs such as Orchard Therapeutics, with public financing surpassing £1.2 billion across ten transactions in 2021.
By mapping and measuring the entire CGT ecosystem, the report demonstrates how UK-led manufacturing efficiencies are de-risking pipelines, making them more scalable and attractive for international “friend-shoring” investment amid global geopolitical shifts. This creates a unique opportunity for partners worldwide to engage with a thriving, resilient UK sector.
Strategically, the UK combines world-class universities, exceptional infrastructure and specialised talent, positioning the market as a trusted international hub for advanced therapies manufacturing amid global geopolitical uncertainty.
Looking ahead, the report calls for continued focus on efficiency, through automation, digitalisation and clearer regulatory pathways, to ensure the UK continues to deliver and expand on its capacity to provide scalable, affordable therapies for patients.
Jane Wall, Managing Director of the BIA, said:
The promise of cell and gene therapies (CGTs) is no longer a future aspiration; it is today's clinical reality. The past year provided compelling validation of the UK’s commitment to this sector, demonstrated powerfully by Autolus Therapeutics' success. It underscores the profound capability of our ecosystem, from UCL spinout through UK clinical trials to domestic manufacturing, to bringing global-leading medicines to patients.
However, the journey from lab to bedside remains complex. For the UK to fully capitalise on its scientific excellence and assert its position as a global manufacturing hub, we must prioritise efficiency. Maximising efficiency in development and delivery is the foundation for sustainable patient access, greater affordability and robust economic growth.
