With the government launching its ambitious new Life Sciences Sector Plan in July 2025 to drive growth, innovation and better health outcomes, it’s an exciting time for companies in this sector.
The plan sets out a ten-year mission to harness British science and innovation to deliver a stronger, prevention-focused NHS.
The government says the UK is already a global leader in life sciences, with the sector worth around £100 billion to the economy and employing around 300,000 people.
Almost 7,000 businesses are said to be operating in this vital field – with Oxfordshire being an important hub of biotechnology, healthcare and life science companies, close to two of the world’s top-ranked universities.
The 48-acre Bicester Arc site in north Oxfordshire is ideally placed to be at the heart of this life science transformation and thriving business ecosystem. As one of the UK’s most exciting commercial business opportunities, this site is ideal for the development of pioneering and bespoke research establishments.
The life sciences sector is identified as being critically important to improving the UK’s health and driving economic growth. With a £520 million re-commitment to the Life Sciences Innovative Manufacturing Fund, it has been seen as a welcome boost to research and development (R&D).
This rapidly-evolving sector needs bespoke facilities to house cutting-edge research, development and manufacturing processes. Bicester Arc could be the ideal home for ambitious start-ups or companies looking to expand into their own bespoke facilities such as purpose-built health tech research centres and the like.
Close to leading research facilities, universities and a highly-skilled workforce, with great connectivity and its own power supply, this site’s potential is endless.
Located in the ‘golden triangle’ cluster of innovation between Oxford, Cambridge and London, Bicester Arc is close to highly-skilled businesses including life sciences, technology, AI and automotive.
The scheme has outline planning permission for more than 600,000 sq ft which could be used to build a range of customisable units of 10,000 sq ft or a single building more than 300,000 sq. It provides an exciting blank canvas for innovative R&D firms to create their own vision, with collections of flexible laboratory designs, dedicated office space or hybrid facilities that can house specialist equipment.
Designed with sustainability at the forefront, Bicester Arc’s buildings will be built with the environment in mind, with plans to achieve a BREEAM ‘Excellent’ rating and EPC ‘A’.
Crucially, the whole 48-acre site will be powered by a dedicated primary substation delivering a 13.7 MVA electricity supply exclusively available to the occupiers of Bicester Arc – of vital importance to R&D developments.
A picturesque 15-acre eco park will also be created on the site, giving scientists, developers and support teams the vital space for ‘thinking’ time. This natural oasis will be the perfect backdrop for relaxation in a habitat-rich environment with green spaces and walking trails.
Home to two of the world’s top-ranked universities and teeming with highly-skilled businesses including AI, deep tech, defence and automotive, this region leads the way in groundbreaking life sciences and healthcare facilities.
Enterprise Oxfordshire points out that the region is home to national assets such as the Rosalind Franklin Research Institute and the Harwell Science and Innovation Campus. It has also nurtured world-leading ‘spin-outs’ from the University of Oxford. Meanwhile, the university has recently launched a major new AI vaccine research programme with the Ellison Institute of Technology.
Become a part of Oxfordshire’s thriving life sciences sector as more businesses choose to locate in the M40 corridor – and see your vision come to life with the impressive Bicester Arc site.
Boasting excellent connectivity, this fully serviced destination is located just five minutes from junction 9. Oxford has frequent trains from London and Birmingham – and the land is a 12-minute walk from Bicester Village train station.
Call our friendly team today on 01773 515430 and let us make your dream a reality
Find out moreLife science real estate, particularly laboratory and specialist manufacturing space, is complex to develop because of demanding technical standards. Across many of Europe’s major life sciences clusters, a long-standing shortage of suitable space has created a persistent imbalance between supply and demand.
Lab rental costs vary widely by location and are typically higher than those for conventional offices. In leading UK science hubs such as London, rents can range from around £70 to £125 per square foot, considerably higher than office space at an average £57.50 per square foot.
These higher costs reflect the specialised infrastructure required for laboratory use. Purpose-built ventilation, dedicated plumbing and enhanced electrical capacity add to development and operating expenses, while laboratories also consume significantly more energy than offices due to equipment running continuously.
The pharmaceutical industry sits under the broader life sciences umbrella, focusing on the discovery, development and commercialisation of drugs for therapeutic use. In the UK, pharmaceuticals are among the most research-intensive parts of the life sciences economy, covering everything from basic manufacturing to biologics and advanced therapies.
The UK pharmaceutical industry directly employs around 75,000 people, a substantial core workforce. It forms a significant industrial sector, with roughly £19 billion in gross value added (GVA) to the UK economy in 2023.
