Life Sciences Week 2026 will take place from 21–25 September, bringing together leaders from across academia, industry, investment and the NHS to accelerate improved health outcomes and economic growth.
Now in its second year, the annual celebration of health tech and med tech innovation is set to be “bigger, broader and more ambitious”, with an expanded national and international focus. Organisers shared plans for the week at a preview event attended by more than 100 guests at Hotel du Vin Birmingham, held as part of the West Midlands Business Festival.
The life sciences sector already contributes around £6bn in gross value added to the Midlands economy and is forecast to create a further 10,000 roles by 2030 — growth of more than a third. Life Sciences Week 2026 aims to harness that momentum, strengthening collaboration across four key areas:
- Pharmaceutical and biotech innovation, including drug discovery and novel therapies
- Medical technology and diagnostics, spanning tools, devices and clinical practice
- Academic research and university–industry collaboration
- Investment, scaling and access to capital for emerging ventures
Reflecting on the success of the inaugural 2025 programme, organisers highlighted 41 events across 28 locations, 3,000 attendees and 110 speakers.
Professor Neil Hanley, Pro-Vice-Chancellor and Head of the College of Medicine and Health at the University of Birmingham said: “Life Sciences Week 2025 was brilliant. The job of 2026 is to surpass it – and we will. With each week that passes, more and more stories emerge of tremendous successes, be it the £1bn five-year cycle of R&D that has grown in the Birmingham Health & Life Sciences District, the 250+ companies helped through the West Midlands Health Tech Innovation Accelerator, or the ongoing growth of ThermoFisher’s Binding Site scheme from what was once a start-up.”
Professor Gino Martini, CEO of PHTA, said: “The human life sciences sector is strategically important for the UK economy, and critical to the country’s health, wealth and resilience. Life Sciences Week 2026 is an exciting nexus for our great scientists and entrepreneurs to exchange ideas. The West Midlands is a clinical powerhouse – each year, we produce 11,000 medical science graduates from among 80,000+ STEAM students. All this in a region whose highly-diverse population of six million people is perfect for clinical trials.”
Professor Paul Cadman, co-founder of LSW, added: “By bringing together leaders from relevant worlds, Life Sciences Week 2026 is all about delivery. The delivery of improved health outcomes for everyday people across the UK and around the world – maximising opportunities for economic growth. Delivering the UK’s full potential in the multi-billion-pound life sciences sector.”
Last year’s inaugural event included the official launch of No.1 BHIC, home to PHTA – hosted by Selly Oak MP and Minister for Veterans Al Carns, the launch evening brought together clinical-academics, industry partners, and research leaders from Birmingham’s health and life sciences district and far beyond.
