While the show’s main site now features the 2026 edition, the 2025 outing (18–19 June) still made its mark—anchored by automation, regulation, and the messy middle of scaling from lab to compliant production. Post-event summaries flagged focus areas like lab automation and innovation pathways, and exhibitors used it to court UK partners on procurement and pilot runs.
Signals to watch
- Automation as the hiring plan
With talent markets tight, UK teams are translating headcount constraints into automation roadmaps (liquid handlers, scheduling, and data lineage) to keep velocity without blowing burn. - Regulatory clarity = capital access
Founders reported better VC receptivity when MHRA/EMA plans are baked into their pitch—complete with QC/CMC trajectories that won’t stall at Series B. - London as a testbed
Proximity to hospitals and translational hubs remains the pull; the trick is converting pilot wins into scalable supply—with CDMOs looped in early.
Why it matters
Between NHS partnerships and new capital pools, 2025 looks like a “prove it or pivot” year for red biotech in the UK. This show captured the executional mood.
