A life science growth in central London could add £3.5bn to the financial system and create 20,000 life science jobs.
The innovation district on the coronary heart of Euston and King’s Cross, is already house to world-leading UK life science and know-how firms resembling Synthesia, Autolus and Google DeepMind.
But new evaluation from UCL and Public First reveals that the thriving space anchored by UCL, The Francis Crick Institute, and UCLH could grow to be the UK’s reply to Kendall Square, the US’s main life sciences cluster round MIT in Boston that has remodeled the Massachusetts financial system.
The report reveals the financial advantages can ripple throughout the nation with measurable productiveness positive factors in different UK clusters due to transport hyperlinks. Manchester, Liverpool and South Yorkshire see notably sturdy positive factors.
The Government has put innovation on the coronary heart of its Industrial Strategy and Life Sciences Sector Plan, and Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology, Liz Kendall stated not too long ago that “there is no route to stronger growth in this country… without science, technology and innovation leading front and centre”.
Professor Alan Thompson, Pro Provost (London) at UCL, describes the district as a once-in-a-generation alternative to speed up progress intentionally slightly than leaving it to probability.
He argues that, though the elemental substances for world-leading cluster progress are in place, realising the district’s full potential requires coordinated motion on planning, transport, and funding.
UCL requested Public First to assess the size of the chance.
The 1.5 km² space already generates over £8bn in annual GVA and employs 12,000 life science employees. Drawing on comparative evaluation from world-leading innovation clusters in Barcelona, Tokyo and Boston, the analysis reveals:
- Through sustaining present employment and productiveness progress, the Life Science cluster round UCL could develop to present an extra £1.5bn of annual GVA* by 2035
- If the cluster round UCL can develop the employment density on the fee seen in Tokyo’s OMY cluster” (Otemachi, Marunouchi, and Yurakucho), this would add £2.7bn of annual GVA* by 2035, adding 12,000 life science jobs
- Following the rapid growth trajectory of Kendall Square’s life science cluster could add £3.5bn of annual GVA* to the economy by 2035, and create nearly 20,000 life science jobs
The findings build on recent positive data on London’s life science innovation economy.
- According to London & Partners the capital has cemented its position as Europe’s powerhouse for life sciences, attracting $2.1 billion in venture capital investment in 2025 (up to November). This is more than 1.6 times the amount raised in 2024 ($1.3 billion) and over triple the amount raised by Paris ($679 million) in 2025.
- The same analysis shows the surge in investment is powered by innovation in AI. Companies leveraging AI have secured more than half ($1.1 billion) of the investment raised in life sciences in 2025 (to November).
- Spinouts from the district featured heavily in the ‘London Life Sciences Companies to Watch’ report, published by MedCity.
- Over the last five years, UCL alone has generated more than 400 student startups and 46 spinouts, collectively raising over £3.4 billion in external investment and employing over 4,300 people.
Professor Geraint Rees, Vice Provost (Research, Innovation and Global Engagement) at UCL, said: “Modern life sciences require mathematicians, AI specialists, engineers, biologists, and clinicians working together; an environment where business rubs shoulders with science.
“This is an established ecosystem of worldclass organisations including UCL, UCLH and The Francis Crick Institute and world-leading UK life science and technology companies – from Synthesia to Autolus to Google DeepMind.
“This is a booming innovation district driven by purpose and impact to solve the world’s biggest challenges and transform lives and powered by high-speed rail, unrivalled access to capital and seamless international connectivity.”
Professor Alan Thompson, Pro Provost (London) at UCL, added: “The Government’s progress mission relies upon on maximising the financial potential of the UK’s strongest innovation property.
“International evidence shows that world-leading innovation districts emerge organically; yet to thrive, they require coordinated decisions on planning density, transport connectivity, anchor institutions, and investment frameworks.
“We have a once-in-a generation opportunity to accelerate this district. With the right interventions, this could become a genuine rival to Kendall Square, with huge benefit to the economy in London and beyond.”
Councillor Richard Olszewski, Leader of Camden Council said: “This research shows the huge growth potential from AI, life sciences and technology that will benefit Camden and all our residents, as well as the wider London and UK economy.
“We are committed to closely working with UCL and key partners in the innovation district to support it to thrive – working to coordinate investment, planning and ensuring that the Euston regeneration delivers an outstanding location in the borough for innovation.”
The district’s monitor document
The innovation district has already demonstrated its capability to assist breakthrough firms at scale:
Autolus Therapeutics not too long ago gained NHS approval for its most cancers immunotherapy remedy, which emerged from college analysis. The firm has raised $1.1 billion, employs 450 individuals, and operates a state-of-the-art manufacturing facility in Stevenage. Its scientific trials drew immediately on NHS affected person information and hospital infrastructure.
Synthesia moved into new headquarters at Regent’s Place in July 2024, explicitly citing proximity to UCL the place co-founder Lourdes Agapito is a Professor of 3D Vision in Computer Science. Now valued at $2.1 billion with over $100 million in income, this AI-native firm exemplifies the district’s potential.
Isomorphic Labs, spun out from DeepMind in 2021, makes use of AI for drug discovery by combining machine studying researchers with medicinal chemists and structural biologists – a mannequin enabled by the district’s focus of AI and life sciences experience.
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Michael Lucibella
E: m.lucibella [at] ucl.ac.uk