Life science competitiveness indicators, 2019
Source: data.gov.uk (2022-05-13)

Life science sector data. This annual report includes charts on the UK life science sector, and how it compares to other countries. Areas covered include:
UK industry
research and development
regulatory environment
clinical research
In March 2022, metric 3 was amended to “Industry spend on pharmaceutical research and development in the UK”. This edit reflects the inclusion of all spend on pharmaceutical research and development by all businesses, not only pharmaceutical companies.

Life Science Competitiveness Indicators
June 2019

Ministerial foreword
Life Science Competitiveness Indicators
2
Lord Henley
Parliamentary Under Secretary 
of State of the Department for 
Business, Energy and 
Industrial Strategy
Baroness Blackwood
Parliamentary Under 
Secretary of State of the 
Department of Health and 
Social Care
I am pleased to introduce the fifth annual Life Science Competitiveness Indicators report. Since last year’s publication, the UK has generated almost 
£74bn in annual turnover and employs close to a quarter of a million people across the sector, making it a crucial pillar of the UK economy. 
Today the UK has one of the strongest, most productive health and life sciences industries in the world. Government is fully committed to the sector, 
having already invested in excess of £500m, in addition to significant funding of over £2bn leveraged from industry through investments and 
partnerships, as part of our two Life Sciences Sector Deals. The second Life Sciences Sector Deal, published in December 2018 set out further plans 
to secure a global lead in those areas that represent the greatest opportunities for the UK, details our deeper partnership with the sector and 
demonstrates the pivotal role of the NHS as a key delivery partner. Notably, this included an expansion of the Accelerated Access Collaborative (AAC) 
to serve as the umbrella organisation for UK health innovation and the front door to support for innovators and the health system.
This engagement has also been supported through the successful negotiation with industry on the new Voluntary Scheme for Branded Medicines 
Pricing and Access. Coming into effect on 1 January 2019, this scheme not only establishes mechanisms to control the cost of branded medicines to 
the NHS, but also sets out Government commitments to support innovation, access and uptake of new medicines. 
As the UK leaves the European Union, the Life Sciences industrial strategy unites the whole sector – charities, academics and the full breadth of the 
industry – behind a vision that affirms the UK’s place as a top tier global hub.   Taking this as the basis for future growth, it set a roadmap for the UK to 
create whole new industries over the next two decades in the fields of early disease detection and genomics; digital technologies and data 
analytics; and in advanced therapeutics.
This report includes a set of metrics which displays UK performance compared to a range of comparator countries.  Investment in the UK life sciences 
sector continues to grow, with foreign direct investment capital expenditure at £1.1bn in 2018, the highest expenditure seen in the past eight years. The 
UK also remains a key location for education and skills with the highest proportion of graduates from Natural Sciences, Mathematics and Statistics 
programmes among comparator countries at 14% of all UK graduates in 2016. 
We have strong ambitions to further support this by working closely with our partners across the sector. We are committed to increasing investment in 
life sciences in line with the Governments’ ambition to increase R&D spending to 2.4 per cent of GDP by 2027 and 3 per cent over the longer term. 
This is demonstrated by the fact that in 2017, the UK also saw the highest level of government spend on health R&D in Europe, second only to the 
USA. Through the second Life Sciences Sector Deal, the National Institute for Health Research (NIHR), Health Research Authority (HRA) and 
Medicines and Healthcare Products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) also committed to a suite of measures to make our clinical research environment 
faster, more efficient, streamlined and innovative. 
The Voluntary Scheme commitments build on this, showing the Government’s clear intention to create an environment where industry innovation is 
rewarded. There will be more, and faster, NICE assessments, supported by NHS England offering improved commercial arrangements, preferentially 
applied for the best value propositions. The AAC will also be delivering improved horizon scanning across the health system to help the NHS plan for 
new treatments and technologies coming to the market, with NHS England in turn committing to proactively support the implementation of the most 
clinically and cost-effective new innovations. 
Our ambition remains for the UK to be the best place in the world to develop and launch innovative medicines, technologies and diagnostics, for the 
benefit of patients and boosting growth.

Introduction
This Office for Life Sciences (OLS) report brings together a set of competitiveness indicators on the life science environment in the UK and presents how these 
compare internationally. This is the fifth report and follows the publication of another annual OLS publication – Bioscience and Health Technology Sector Statistics 
– which provides detailed analysis of the life science sector in the UK.
Changes since last publication
This report seeks consistency with previous Competitiveness Indicators publications, so there have been minimal changes from the 2018 report. The latest 
available data have been used to produce the indicators. Where new data have been produced but were not available for this report, indicators have been 
omitted.  
Three indicators were not included due to unavailability of data:
•
Total private investment in biotech and healthcare and Number of companies receiving private equity investment in biotech and healthcare (previously 
chart 13A and 13B).
•
Instances where the MHRA is in a lead role in EU regulatory procedure (previously chart 17) .
Indicators will be reviewed in future years to ensure they remain fit for purpose.
Notes on the data
The web links to public sources along with caveats, as appropriate, are provided for each indicator. The data used in this publication can be found in the 
accompanying spreadsheet. In the few instances where data are sourced commercially or obtained directly from the organisation holding it, the supplier is clearly 
credited but no web link is given. Data availability restricts comparator country choice for some indicators. The data presented are the latest available for each 
source. This means that data may not be comparable to previous Competitiveness Indicators publications as the data may have been revised.
OLS would like to thank all those who have contributed to these indicators, or supplied data for this publication.
Life Science Competitiveness Indicators
3

Table of Contents
Reinforcing the UK Science Offer
1
Government spend on health research and development
2
Non-industry spend on research and development in the UK 
3
Pharmaceutical industry spend on research and development in the UK
4
Share of patients recruited to global studies (all trial phases)
5
Time from core package received to first patient enrolled in country (all trial phases)
6A
Share of life sciences academic citations
6B
Share of most cited (top 1%) life sciences academic citations
Growth and Infrastructure
7A
Number of people employed in manufacture of basic pharmaceutical products and pharmaceutical preparations
7B
Number of people employed in manufacture of medical technology products
8
Gross Value Added for pharmaceutical manufacturing
9A
Global exports of pharmaceutical products
9B
Global exports of medical technology products
10A
Global imports of pharmaceutical products
10B
Global imports of medical technology products
11A
Life sciences foreign direct investment projects
11B
Life sciences foreign direct investment - capital expenditure
12A
Share of global life science Initial Public Offerings (IPOs)
12B
Amount raised in global life science Initial Public Offerings (IPOs) in 2018 (where known)
NHS collaboration
13
Speed and volume of NICE Technology Appraisals
14A
Per capita uptake of new medicines – NICE approved
14B
Per capita uptake of new medicines – Non-NICE reviewed
Skills
15
Percentage of graduates from tertiary education graduating from Natural Sciences, Mathematics and Statistics programmes
Life Science Competitiveness Indicators
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Overview: Performance of UK Life Science Sector
Section
#
Indicator
Reported value
(year) 
Current rank amongst selected 
comparator countries
Reinforcing 
the UK 
Science Offer
1
Government spend on health research and
development
$3.0bn
(2017) 
2nd of 11
2
Non-industry spend on research and development
£3.2bn
(2017/18) 
N/A
3
Pharmaceutical industry spend on research and
development in the UK
£4.3bn
(2017) 
N/A
4
Share of patients recruited to global studies (all
trial phases)
2.7%
(2017) 
4 of 10
5
Time from core package received to first patient
enrolled in country (all trial phases)
180 days
(2017) 
4 of 10
6A
Share of life sciences academic citations
12%
(2014) 
2 of 19
6B
Share of most cited (top 1%) life sciences academic
citations
18%
(2014) 
2 of 19
Growth & 
Infrastructure 
(part 1)
7A
Number of people employed in manufacture of
basic pharmaceutical products and pharmaceutical
preparations
32,180
(2016) 
5 of 10
7B
Number of people employed in manufacture of
medical technology products
41,300
(2016) 
4 of 9
8
Gross Value Added for pharmaceutical
manufacturing
€9.4bn
(2016) 
4 of 9
9A
Global exports of pharmaceutical products
$33.3bn
(2017) 
7 of 18
9B
Global exports of medical technology products
$4.0bn
(2017) 
12 of 18
Life Science Competitiveness Indicators
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Overview: Performance of UK Life Science Sector
Section
#
Indicator
Reported value
(year)
Current rank amongst selected 
comparator countries
Growth & Infrastructure (part 2)
10A
Global imports of pharmaceutical products
$34.0bn
(2017)
4 of 18
10B
Global imports of medical technology products
$5.1bn
(2017)
8 of 18
11A
Life sciences foreign direct investment projects
42 
(2018)
3 of 15
11B
Life sciences foreign direct investment - capital expenditure
£1.1bn
(2018)
4 of 15
12A
Share of global life science Initial Public Offerings in 2018 
(IPOs)
1%
(2018)
14 of 21
12B
Amount raised in global life science Initial Public Offerings 
(IPOs) in 2018 (where known)
£63m
(2018)
8 of 20
NHS collaboration
13
Speed and volume of NICE Technology Appraisals - time from
Marketing Authorisation to first NICE output
3.9 months
(2018/19)
N/A
13
Speed and volume of NICE Technology Appraisals - time from
Marketing Authorisation to final NICE guidance
8.8 months
(2018/19)
N/A
14A
Per capita uptake of new medicines – NICE approved
(relative uptake compared against average comparator
uptake 3 years after launch)
75%
(2013 to 2017)
N/A
14B
Per capita uptake of new medicines – non-NICE reviewed
85%
(2013 to 2017)
N/A
Skills
15
Percentage of graduates from tertiary education graduating
from Natural Sciences, Mathematics and Statistics
programmes, both sexes (%)
14%
(2016)
1 of 13
Life Science Competitiveness Indicators
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Reinforcing the UK Science Offer

Chart 1: 
Government spend on health research and development
o
UK government spend on health R&D was 
$3.0bn in 2017, similar to 2015 levels following 
a small fall in 2016.
o
The UK maintained its position as country with 
the second highest level of expenditure on 
health R&D among comparator countries, 
behind the USA.
o
UK spend was around double that of 
comparator countries, with the exception of the 
USA. 
Source: OECD Research & Development statistics
http://stats.oecd.org/index.aspx?r=xx-xxxx-xxxx
Notes: Government budget appropriations or outlays on R&D Health
Life Science Competitiveness Indicators
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Chart 2:
Non-industry spend on research and development in the UK
Sources: AMRC, MRC and NIHR annual reports 2017/18
https://www.amrc.org.uk/2019-infographic
https://mrc.ukri.org/publications/browse/annual-report-and-accounts-2017-18/
https://www.nihr.ac.uk/about-us/documents/NIHR-Annual-Report-2017-18.pdf
Note: Spend by health departments in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland not illustrated 
o
This indicator is a measure of UK medical research 
charity sector spend on medical and health R&D.
o
In 2017/18, AMRC charities contributed 41% of non-
industry spend on R&D, while the MRC and NIHR 
contributed 26% and 33% respectively.
o
Between 2012/13 and 2017/18:
o
AMRC charities’ expenditure is similar to 2012/13 
levels following a fall between 2016/17 and 
2017/18
o
MRC spend decreased by 6%
o
NIHR spend increased by 11%
o
The relative contribution of each organisation  has 
remained roughly constant since 2012/13.
Life Science Competitiveness Indicators
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Chart 3:
Pharmaceutical industry spend on research and development in the UK
o
Pharmaceutical industry UK spend on R&D in 
2017 was £4.3bn.
o
Pharmaceutical industry R&D spend represented 
around a fifth of total industry R&D spend in the 
UK.
o
Between 2006 and 2011, pharmaceutical industry 
UK R&D spend grew steadily to a peak of £5.4bn 
in 2011, followed by a decline to £4.0bn in 2014. 
Spend grew by 7% in 2015 and is back to similar 
levels in 2017.
o
Pharmaceuticals’ share of total industry R&D 
spend in the UK increased from 25% to 29% 
between 2006 and 2010. Pharmaceuticals’ share 
decreased from 29% to 18% between 2010 and 
2017 as a decline in pharma spend (by 17%) 
coincided with a substantial increase in total 
industry spend (by 32%).
Source: UK Business Expenditure on Research and Development (BERD) 2017 survey, 
Office for National Statistics (ONS)
https://www.ons.gov.uk/economy/governmentpublicsectorandtaxes/researchanddevelop
mentexpenditure/datasets/ukbusinessenterpriseresearchanddevelopment
Notes: Data are not available for medical technology industry spend
Life Science Competitiveness Indicators
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Chart 4:
Share of patients recruited to global studies (all trial phases)
o
The UK’s share of patients recruited to global 
studies in 2017 was just under 3%, falling from a 
peak of just over 4% in 2015.
o
The UK ranked fourth among comparator 
countries, behind the USA, Germany and Spain.
o
The USA consistently outstrips other comparator 
countries with a share of around 33% in 2017.
o
The number of UK clinical trials of investigational 
medicinal products decreased from 1,000 in 2017 
to 955 in 2018. The number of first-in-human trials 
also decreased slightly from 105 in 2017 to 85 in 
2018. 
o
From the NIHR, the number of participants 
recruited to commercial contract studies almost 
doubled from 25,760 in 2013/14 to 50,112 in 
2017/18, through the support of the NIHR Clinical 
Research Network. 
Sources: Clarivate Analytics; Medicines Healthcare Products 
Regulatory Agency; National Institute for Health Research (NIHR)
Life Science Competitiveness Indicators
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Chart 5:
Time from core package received to first patient enrolled in country (all trial 
phases)
o
In 2017, the average time from core package being 
received to the first patient being enrolled in the UK was 
180 days. 
o
This was a decrease of 22 days from 2016 and the shortest 
average time in the past six years.
o
The UK ranked fourth among comparator countries.
o
The USA continued to be the quickest to enrol patients with 
an average time of 99 days in 2017, and a six year average 
of 104 days. 
o
Data from the National Institute for Health Research (NIHR) 
shows that 74% of commercial contract studies in 2017/18  
were delivered to time and target by the NIHR Clinical 
Research Network, maintaining the previous year’s 
progress. 
o
In 2017/18 the NIHR Clinical Research Network supported 
recruitment of 24 global and 5 European-first patients into 
studies across a range of therapy areas. 
Source: Clarivate Analytics
Note: There were fewer studies in 2017 than in previous years, but this does not 
seem to have substantially affected timescales for each country on average.
Life Science Competitiveness Indicators
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Chart 6A:
Share of life sciences academic citations
o
Data for this indicator are updated biennially, so 
no update is available in 2019.
o
In 2014, the UK’s share of life science academic 
citations was 12%, ranking second among 
comparator countries, behind the USA.
o
The UK’s share remained constant at 12% from 
2005 to 2014.
o
Most countries’ share remained steady from 
2005 to 2014 with the exception of:
o
USA, whose share declined from 48% to 
39% but remained ranked first;
o
China, whose share rose from 3% to 11% 
and so rose to third.
o
Countries with a share smaller than 3% include: 
Brazil, Sweden, India, Belgium, Singapore, 
Ireland and Russia.
o
Where papers are co-authored by researchers 
from different companies, citations will be 
recorded for both countries.
Source: International Comparative Performance of the UK Research Base
https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/performance-of-the-uk-research-base-
international-comparison-2013
Life Science Competitiveness Indicators
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Chart 6B:
Share of top 1% (most cited) life sciences academic citations
o
Data for this indicator are updated biennially and so no 
update is available in 2019.
o
Share of top 1% of academic citations is an indicator of the 
quality of research.
o
In 2014, the UK’s share of the top 1% of life sciences 
academic citations was 18%, with it ranking second among 
comparator countries, behind the USA.
o
The UK’s share increased from 15% to 20% between 2005 
and 2012, followed by a decline to 18% in 2014.
o
Most countries’ share remained steady from 2005 to 2014 
with the exception of:
o
USA, whose share declined from 62% to 55% but 
remained ranked first;
o
China, whose share rose from 2% to 10%, ranking 
fourth behind USA, UK and Germany.
o
Countries with a share smaller than 4% are: Belgium, the 
Republic of Korea, Brazil, India, Singapore, Ireland and 
Russia.
o
Where papers are co-authored by researchers from 
different companies, citations will be recorded for both 
countries.
Source: International Comparative Performance of the UK Research Base
https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/performance-of-the-uk-research-
base-international-comparison-2013
Life Science Competitiveness Indicators
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Growth and Infrastructure

Chart 7A:
Number of people employed in manufacture of basic pharmaceuticals and 
pharmaceutical products
o
Eurostat data are not available for all years for the UK 
and some comparator countries. Comparisons are 
made against 2016 data, the latest available year for 
the UK
o
Employment in pharmaceutical manufacturing in the 
UK was 32,200 people in 2016. This is an decrease of 
almost 5,000 from 2014.
o
In 2016, the UK ranked fifth for pharmaceutical 
employment compared to comparator countries with 
data available. Rankings may change as data 
becomes available for all comparator countries.
o
Germany consistently had the highest employment 
among selected comparator countries throughout 
2012 to 2016.
o
OLS’s Bioscience and Health Technology Sector 
Statistics publication provides a more complete and 
up-to-date picture of trends in UK life science 
employment. 
Source : Eurostat - Data Explorer Annual Detailed Enterprise Statistics for Industry
http://appsso.eurostat.ec.europa.eu/nui/show.do?dataset=sbs_na_ind_r2&lang=en
Life Science Competitiveness Indicators
16

Chart 7B:
Number of people employed in manufacture of medical technology 
products
o
Eurostat data are not available for all years for the UK 
and some comparator countries. Comparisons are made 
against 2016 data, the latest available year for the UK.
o
Employment in medical technology manufacturing in the 
UK was 41,300 people in 2016. Employment has 
remained steady since 2013, following a drop of 4,500 
between 2012 and 2013.
o
In 2016, the UK ranked fourth for med tech employment 
out of comparator countries with data available. 
Rankings may change as data becomes available for all 
comparator countries.
o
Germany consistently had the highest employment 
among selected comparator countries throughout 2013 
to 2017.
o
These data allow like-for-like international comparisons 
but are known to be underestimates and do not capture 
the full breadth of medical technology.
o
OLS’s Bioscience and Health Technology Sector 
Statistics publication provides a more complete and up-
to-date picture of trends in UK life science employment.
Source : Eurostat - Data Explorer Annual Detailed Enterprise Statistics for Industry
http://appsso.eurostat.ec.europa.eu/nui/show.do?dataset=sbs_na_ind_r2&lang=en
Notes: Med Tech chart is compiled from figures for 266 (Manufacture of irradiation, 
electromedical and electrotherapeutic equipment) + 325 (Manufacture of medical and dental 
instruments and supplies)
Life Science Competitiveness Indicators
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Chart 8:
Gross Value Added for pharmaceutical manufacturing
o
Eurostat data are not available for all years for 
the UK and some comparator countries. 
Comparisons are made against 2016 data, the 
latest available year for the UK 
o
Gross Valued Added (GVA) measures the 
contribution to the economy of an industry. It is 
calculated as either outputs minus inputs, or 
revenue (turnover) minus costs.
o
In the UK, the GVA for pharmaceutical 
manufacturing increased between 2015 and 
2016 to £9.4bn. 
o
In 2016, UK GVA ranked fourth among 
comparator countries with data available. 
Rankings may change as data becomes 
available for all comparator countries.
o
Available data suggest Switzerland and 
Germany are consistently the most productive 
pharmaceutical manufacturing sectors.
Source: Eurostat - Data Explorer National Accounts aggregates by industry 
http://appsso.eurostat.ec.europa.eu/nui/show.do
Notes: Category used is "Manufacture of basic pharmaceuticals and pharmaceutical 
products". Data are in chain linked volumes (2005)
Life Science Competitiveness Indicators
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Chart 9A:
Global exports of pharmaceutical products
o UK exports of pharmaceutical products had a 
value of $33.3bn in 2017.
o This is an 9% fall from a peak of $36.4bn in 
2012, after a steady rise from $29.1bn in 2007. 
o In 2017, the UK ranked seventh. Germany has 
consistently shown the highest value 
pharmaceutical exports since 2007, with 
Belgium dropping into fourth behind Switzerland 
and the USA from 2015.
o Up-to-date UK data, available from ONS, shows 
a 9% fall in pharmaceutical exports between 
2017 and 2018.
Source: UNCTAD STAT Data Center
http://unctadstat.unctad.org/wds/ReportFolders/reportFolders.aspx
Notes: Categories used from UNCTAD are “541 Medicinal and pharmaceutical products”,
“542 Medicaments including veterinary medicament”. Data are in current prices. 
Life Science Competitiveness Indicators
19

Chart 9B:
Global exports of medical technology products
o UK exports of medical technology products had 
a value of $4.0bn in 2017.
o This is an increase (by 5%) since 2016, after a 
steady rise from $3.5bn in 2007. 
o In 2017, the UK ranked 12th out of the 18 
comparator countries in value of medical 
technology exports. 
o Up-to-date UK data, available from ONS, shows 
a 5% rise in medical technology exports between 
2017 and 2018.
Source: UNCTAD STAT Data Center
http://unctadstat.unctad.org/wds/ReportFolders/reportFolders.aspx
Notes: Categories used from UNCTAD STAT are “774 Electro-diagnostic apparatus for medical science etc.” and “872 
Instruments and appliances, n.e.s, for medical, etc.” Data are in current prices.
Life Science Competitiveness Indicators
20

Chart 10A:
Global imports of pharmaceutical products
Source: UNCTAD STAT Data Center
http://unctadstat.unctad.org/wds/ReportFolders/reportFolders.aspx
Notes: Categories used from UNCTAD STAT are “774 Electro-diagnostic apparatus for medical science etc.” and “872 
Instruments and appliances, n.e.s, for medical, etc.” Data are in current prices.
o UK imports of pharmaceutical products had a 
value of $34.0bn in 2017, slightly more than the 
value of UK exports at $33.3bn.
o In 2017, the UK had the fourth highest 
pharmaceutical imports, behind the USA, 
Germany and Belgium.
o The USA saw an increase of over $40bn in 
pharmaceutical imports between 2007 and 2017. 
China and Japan saw increases of $22bn and 
$14bn respectively during the same period, to 
over $20bn in 2017.
Life Science Competitiveness Indicators
21

Chart 10B:
Global imports of medical technology products 
o The value of UK imports of medical technology 
products was $5.1bn in 2017.
o In 2017, the UK was eighth among the 18 
selected comparator countries. 
o The USA has consistently had the highest value 
of medical technology imports with a 2017 level 
nearly three times that of the second highest 
comparator country ($31.9bn compared to 
China’s $11.3bn).
o The USA saw an increase of over $12bn in 
medical technology imports between 2007 and 
2017. Other countries that experienced big 
increases during that period include China, the 
Netherlands, Germany, Japan and Belgium.
Source: UNCTAD STAT Data Center
http://unctadstat.unctad.org/wds/ReportFolders/reportFolders.aspx?sCS_ChosenLang=en
Notes: Categories used from UNCTAD STAT are “774 Electro-diagnostic apparatus for 
medical science etc.” and “872 Instruments and appliances, n.e.s, for medical, etc.” Data are in current prices.
Life Science Competitiveness Indicators
22

Chart 11A:
Life sciences foreign direct investment projects
o
There were 42 life science foreign direct 
investment projects in the UK in 2018, 
although it should be noted that there is 
volatility in these numbers year to year.
o
In 2018, the UK fell to third for number of 
life sciences fDI projects among 
comparator countries, behind the USA 
and China. The UK ranks first among 
European comparator countries.
o
The USA consistently ranked first among 
selected comparator countries between 
2014 and 2018, with 140 projects in 2018.
Source: fDi Markets, from The Financial Times Ltd.
http://www.fdimarkets.com/explore/?p=sector
Notes:  Numbers are for the year that projects were announced. 
Life Science Competitiveness Indicators
23

Chart 11B:
Life sciences foreign direct investment – capital expenditure
o
The value of life sciences foreign direct investment 
capital expenditure in the UK was £1.1bn in 2018, an 
increase of 37% on 2017 levels and the highest 
expenditure seen in the past eight years.
o
In 2018, the UK ranked fourth in value of fDI among 
comparator countries, behind the USA, China and 
Ireland. 
o
In 2018 the UK life sciences foreign direct investment 
capital expenditure was nearly three times the 2014 
level. During the same period large proportional 
increases in expenditure were also seen in France, 
Japan and the Republic of Korea.
Source: fDi Markets, from The Financial Times Ltd.
http://www.fdimarkets.com/explore/?p=sector
Notes:  Numbers are for the year that projects were announced. 
Life Science Competitiveness Indicators
24

Chart 12A: 
Share of global life sciences Initial Public Offerings (IPOs) in 2018
o
In 2018, the UK had two life sciences Initial 
Public Offerings (IPOs) which equates to a 1% 
share, the same as the share in 2017.
o
The UK’s share of global life science IPOs in 
2018 was similar to Germany, Japan and 
Switzerland.
o
The USA had the largest global share of life 
science IPOs in 2018, with 40%.
Source: S&P Capital IQ http://www.spcapitaliq.com/
Notes: Country is the country in which the IPO was launched, not the domicile of the IPO country. 
USA includes Over The Counter (OTC) and Pink Sheets stocks which are not traded on the stock exchanges.
Life Science Competitiveness Indicators
25

Chart 12B:
Amount raised in global life sciences Initial Public Offerings (IPOs) in 2018 
(where known)
o
UK Initial Public Offerings (IPOs) in life sciences 
raised £63m in 2018. This compares to approx. 
£22bn raised in 2017, although it should be 
noted there is extreme volatility in these figures 
year-to-year.
o
In 2018, the UK ranked eighth among 21 
selected comparator countries. Counties with 
less than £20m raised are not included in the 
chart shown.
o
The USA raised the largest amount of IPOs in 
life sciences in 2018, with approximately £6.9bn. 
USA figures include Over The Counter (OTC) 
and Pink Sheets stocks which are not traded on 
the stock exchanges.
Source: S&P Capital IQ http://www.spcapitaliq.com/
Notes: ‘Country’ is the country in which the IPO was launched, not the domicile of the IPO. Data on 
amount raised are not available for 5 of 36 IPOs launched in China and 1 of 3 in Singapore so total 
amount will be an underestimate. Chinese figures include Hong Kong.
Life Science Competitiveness Indicators
26

NHS Collaboration

Chart 13: 
Speed and volume of NICE Technology Appraisals
o
In 2018/19, the average time from Marketing Authorisation to 1st
NICE output was 3.9 months, and to final NICE guidance was 8.8 
months. 
o
On average, 1st output is 1.4 months quicker than 5 years ago, 
and final guidance is 1.2 months quicker. 
o
Speed of appraisal output is affected by appeals, late referrals, 
additional committee meetings and companies negotiating timing 
of appraisal.
o
Since NICE’s creation in 2000 it has given 888 recommendations, 
arising from 572 Technology Appraisals.
o
NICE had a positive recommendation rate of over 80% between 
April 2013 and March 2019 (recommended, optimised and CDF). 
Recommendation 
categories
Total (1 April 2013 to 
31 March 2019)
Recommended
162 (47%)
Optimised
103 (30%)
CDF*
25 (7%)
Only in Research
3 (1%)
Not Recommended
53 (15%)
Total
346 (100%)
Life Science Competitiveness Indicators
28
Notes: CDF was introduced in 2016, re-appraisals of existing 
products have been excluded. 2019/20 data are forecasted.
Source: NICE

Chart 14A:
Per capita uptake of new medicines – NICE approved
o
This indicator is a measure of relative uptake per capita for 
new medicines first marketed between 2013 and 2017 and 
recommended by NICE, compared to the median uptake 
of medicines launched during 2012 to 2016 and 2011 to 
2015. A value of 100% means UK per capita consumption 
is identical to the average uptake per capita for the 
comparison countries. 
o
UK uptake of NICE-approved medicines in the first year 
after launch for the 2013-17 cohort was at 21% of the 
median uptake level of comparator countries. This rose to 
75% by year 5.
o
There were 86 medicines included for 2013-17, compared 
to 94 for 2012-16 and 77 for 2011-15. Medicines are 
included only if UK sales were above £1m in 2017 and on 
sale for 12 months in at least 4 of the 16 comparators.
o
The analysis adjusts for population size, but not for need 
(no. of cases), standard clinical practice or total medicine 
spend in each country, which is likely to affect uptake. 
Source: ABPI analysis of IQVIA data
Notes: Comparator countries: Australia, Austria, Belgium, Canada, Finland, France, 
Germany, Ireland, Italy, Japan, Netherlands, Spain, Switzerland, Sweden, USA
Life Science Competitiveness Indicators
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Chart 14B:
Per capita uptake of new medicines – non-NICE reviewed
o
This indicator is a measure of relative uptake per capita for new 
medicines first marketed between 2013 and 2017 and not reviewed by 
NICE, compared to the median uptake of medicines launched during 
2012 to 2016 and 2011 to 2015. A value of 100% means UK per capita 
consumption is identical to the average uptake per capita for the 
comparison countries. 
o
UK uptake of non-NICE reviewed medicines in the first year after 
launch was at 8% of the median uptake level of comparator countries. 
This rose to 85% by year 5.
o
There were 13 medicines included for 2013-17, compared to 14 for 
2012-16 and 12 for 2011-2015. Medicines are included only if UK 
sales were above £1m in 2017 and on sale for 12 months in at least 4 
of the 16 comparators.
o
The analysis adjusts for population size, but not for need (no. of 
cases), standard clinical practice or total medicine spend in each 
country, which is likely to affect uptake. 
Source: ABPI analysis of IQVIA data
Notes: Comparator countries: Australia, Austria, Belgium, Canada, Finland, France, 
Germany, Ireland, Italy, Japan, Netherlands, Spain, Switzerland, Sweden, USA
Life Science Competitiveness Indicators
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Skills

Chart 15:
Percentage of graduates from tertiary education graduation from Natural 
Sciences, Mathematics and Statistics programmes, both sexes (%)
o
This indicator is a measure of upcoming talent and 
potential skills base for the life sciences. Tertiary 
education is an undergraduate degree or equivalent.
o
The UK ranked first for the proportion of graduates 
from Natural Sciences, Mathematics and Statistics 
programmes among comparator countries, with India 
having only a slightly lower proportion.
o
In 2016, approximately 14% of graduates were from 
these programmes, roughly similar to the previous 
three years.
o
No data were available for Germany. Countries with 
fewer than 4% include: Belgium, Brazil, Netherlands 
and Russia. 
Source: UNESCO, Education theme
http://data.uis.unesco.org/index.aspx?queryid=163#
Life Science Competitiveness Indicators
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