Growth

UK & Nordics: Life sciences & healthcare 2024 venture financing

  • Growth
  • Report
  • 3 minutes read

This report takes an in-depth look at the key venture funding trends in the life science and healthcare space in 2024 – a pivotal year with signs of a rebound after the post-Covid downturn. It offers specific insights into biopharma, Dx/Tools and Healthtech and the forces driving change in the sector, and hints at the potential for IPO resurgence in 2025.

  1. The life sciences venture funding in these regions experienced a pivotal year in 2024, signalling a rebound after the post-COVID lag.
  2. Overall, both average deal size and venture funding deployed in the UK and Nordics exceeded 2023 levels.
  3. Average deal size increased 32% YoY , while overall venture deployment increased 18.9%.

A pivotal year following the post-Covid downturn

Reduced inflation, interest rate cuts, and geopolitical stabilisation in key markets, combined with FDA momentum, drove renewed optimism across Biopharma, Dx/Tools, and Healthtech in the UK and Nordic regions 2024.

Biopharma and Dx/Tools saw a comeback in the region with $3.3B in venture funding—a 14% year-over-year increase. Early-stage funding stabilised, with seed and Series A rounds holding steady. Platform and oncology led funding across stages, while neurology, obesity therapies, and innovative modalities like ADCs attracted significant investment. Dx/Tools raised large deals. TechBio also had a break-out year.

The UK’s Golden Triangle remained the epicenter of Biopharma/DxTools activity, while regional HQ’d VCs led 50% of first biopharma funding rounds, highlighting strong local engagement. Additionally, crossover funds led 35% of large financings—all of which suggest a possible 2025 IPO resurgence.

HealthTech’s 2024 UK and Nordic market mantra for “cashflow breakeven” seems to reflect in the data, where overall investing volume has decreased (particularly for first financings), and overall value reflects down 9% year-over-year.

In consideration of the “haves” we see a market with a new value pool for women’s health (boasting a unicorn), while both alternative care approaches and provider operations companies figured prominently in 2024.

On the alternative care side, we see companies providing new care pathways and paradigms for healthcare services from a people point-of-view. Largely driven by AI and the potential for healthcare systems savings, provider operations companies did continue gaining traction in 2024 to support physician, hospital, and health system workflows.

While Healthtech faced challenges, strong activity in biopharma and Dx/Tools set the stage for growth in 2025. The region’s innovation ecosystem is poised for further success, driven by improving macroeconomic conditions and investor confidence.

Key takeaways

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Increased funding for Biopharma and Dx/Tools

$3.3B in venture funding for the regions represents a 14% year-over-year increase.

Cross-over funds led over a third of large financings

Crossover funds led 35% of large financings which is indicative of strong investor engagement.

Healthtech: A story of “haves” and “have nots”

While overall value is down 9% YOY, women’s health, alternative care and provider operations attracted significant interest.

As this report highlights, Biopharma, Dx/Tools, and Healthtech remain integral pillars of the UK and Nordic innovation ecosystem. In 2024, Biopharma and Dx/Tools demonstrated resilience and momentum, with notable funding increases, large deals, and promising advances in key therapeutic areas and new modalities. Healthtech, though navigating headwinds, showcased growth in emerging sectors like women’s health and AI-driven operational solutions. The adaptability and innovation within these sectors bode well for a stronger 2025, as improving macroeconomic conditions and investor confidence continue to shape the ecosystem.

Michael White | Head of Lifescience and Healthcare

This material including, without limitation to the statistical information herein, is provided for informational purposes only. The material is based, in part, on information from third-party sources that we believe to be reliable but, which have not been independently verified by us and, for this reason, we do not represent that the information is accurate or complete. The information should not be viewed as tax, investment, legal or other advice, nor is it to be relied on in making an investment or other decision. You should obtain relevant and specific professional advice before making any investment decision. Nothing relating to the material should be construed as a solicitation, offer or recommendation to acquire or dispose of any investment or to engage in any other transaction.

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UK & Nordics: Life Sciences & Healthcare Venture Financing 2024

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