Wales has a thriving Life Sciences industry with over 250 companies employing over 15,000 workers, supported by collaborations between universities and businesses.

The biosciences cluster in Cardiff is built around links between Cardiff University and the private sector companies in the locality, supported by Cardiff Medicentre - a medical technology incubator on the site of the University hospital. 

Pharmaceuticals are also recognised as having strong potential for rapid economic growth, with Cardiff currently accounting for around one-third of pharmaceutical jobs in Wales. The pharmaceutical industry in Cardiff is expected to register GVA growth of 6.75% per annum – the same as the UK – and employment growth of 1.5% per annum between 2006 and 2016 – three times the rate projected for the UK as a whole.

The sector is recognised as a growth sector by Cardiff Council and the Welsh Government.  To celebrate the tenth anniversary of the annual conference for life sciences in Wales – Bio Wales – the event has been moved to the Wales Millennium Centre in Cardiff in recognition of Cardiff University’s significant contribution to this sector in Wales.

Life Sciences Brochure

An introduction to the Life Sciences sector in Cardiff. See an online version here or request a hard copy here.