As TFS HealthScience prepares to exhibit at the upcoming Outsourcing in Clinical Trials UK/Ireland 2025 conference, we’re spotlighting UK and Ireland biotech companies 2025 that are reshaping the future of clinical research. The UK and Ireland have emerged as powerhouses of life sciences innovation — from the famed “Golden Triangle” of Cambridge, Oxford, and London to a vibrant ecosystem in Dublin. Below, we highlight ten innovative biotech and specialty pharma companies driving advances in dermatology, neuroscience, ophthalmology, and oncology. These UK and Ireland biotech companies in 2025 reflect the agility and scientific strength that make the region a global innovation hub.

Inside the UK & Ireland Biotech Companies 2025 Ecosystem 

The UK and Ireland biotech companies 2025 ecosystem continues to thrive, powered by strong academic ties, funding momentum, and regional collaboration. Strategic geographic clusters, academic excellence, and robust investment flows have created thriving ecosystems that continue to attract global attention. From world-renowned research hubs to emerging centers of clinical and commercial growth, the region offers a compelling environment for advancing drug development. Below, we explore three key hotspots shaping the region’s scientific and clinical future.

• Cambridge and Oxford – These university cities anchor the UK’s life sciences “Golden Triangle”, hosting hundreds of biotech startups and R&D centers. World-class academic research and close-knit science parks fuel continuous spinouts and collaborations. In 2024, UK biotech overall “defied the odds” by raising around £3.5 billion – a 94% increase from 2023 – despite global headwinds. This surge of capital is accelerating new therapies from lab to clinic.
• London – The UK’s capital is a rising biotech nexus, blending scientific talent with deep-pocketed investors and pharma HQs. Home to leading hospitals and research institutes, London nurtures startups in everything from cell therapy to AI-driven drug design. Its mix of financial strength and scientific expertise has cemented the city as a focal point for clinical trials and venture investment.
• Dublin – Ireland’s biotech scene, centered around Dublin, is growing rapidly. Long a base for pharmaceutical manufacturing, Ireland now boasts a dynamic landscape of homegrown biotechs and medtech ventures. A “robust regulatory environment, skilled workforce, and strategic location” have made Ireland a global life sciences hub. Government initiatives and strong venture funding are further spurring local innovation and attracting international partnerships.

Whether at the podium or behind the scenes, UK and Ireland biotech companies 2025 are pushing the boundaries of what’s possible in clinical development. TFS is proud to partner with many of the UK and Ireland biotech companies 2025 accelerating research across oncology, ophthalmology, neuroscience, and dermatology clinical trials.

1. Amphista Therapeutics

Amphista Therapeutics (Cambridge, UK) is a targeted protein degradation specialist developing next-generation “molecular glue” therapies for cancer and neurological diseases. Amphista’s proprietary platform broadens the mechanisms by which disease-causing proteins can be tagged for destruction, overcoming limitations of earlier approaches. In a major 2022 deal, Amphista received a $30 million upfront payment and up to $1.25 billion in milestones from Bristol Myers Squibb as part of a collaboration to develop new protein degrader drugs. The company has since shown compelling preclinical results – in early 2024 it “unveiled new data” demonstrating its degraders can shrink tumors and reduce toxic proteins in the brain of animal models. With this momentum, Amphista is poised to move its first programs into the clinic and translate its cutting-edge science into treatments for hard-to-treat cancers and neurological disorders. Backed by strong scientific leadership, strategic partnerships, and a growing pipeline, the company is well-positioned to become a leading force in the next wave of targeted protein degradation therapies.

2. AstronauTx

AstronauTx (London, UK) is tackling neurodegenerative diseases by restoring healthy brain cell function. Spun out in 2019 from the Dementia Discovery Fund, AstronauTx is shifting the focus from single protein targets to the “disrupted brain physiology” that underlies diseases like Alzheimer’s Disease. Its approach aims to clear toxic proteins, boost metabolic efficiency, and support neuronal health by modulating astrocytes and other brain cells. This novel strategy attracted significant backing – in late 2023, AstronauTx closed a $61 million Series A led by Novartis Venture Fund (with pharma giant BMS participating) to advance its small-molecule pipeline. The funding will propel several programs through preclinical development, bringing AstronauTx closer to clinical trials. By targeting the brain’s support cells and networks, AstronauTx seeks to slow or even reverse the course of devastating neurodegenerative conditions. With strong investor confidence, a differentiated scientific approach, and a pipeline advancing toward the clinic, AstronauTx is well-positioned to become a transformative player in the fight against Alzheimer’s and other complex brain disorders.

3. Autolus

Autolus Therapeutics (London, UK) is a clinical-stage CAR-T cell therapy company at the forefront of personalized cancer treatment. Autolus engineers patients’ T-cells to better recognize and attack cancer, using modular genetic programming to enhance precision and control. The company has built an impressive pipeline for blood cancers and solid tumors. In a milestone for UK cell therapy, Autolus recently earned FDA approval for its lead CAR-T product obe-cel to treat adult acute lymphoblastic leukemia. This approval – for a therapy targeting CD19 in relapsed B-cell leukemia – validates Autolus’ platform and marks one of the first UK-developed CAR-Ts to reach the market. Autolus has also drawn strong industry partners: it struck an option deal with Moderna in 2021 to explore mRNA-based cancer therapies, and partnered with Bristol Myers Squibb in 2022 on safety-switch technology for next-generation cell therapies. With significant investment (over $250 million from Blackstone Life Sciences) and proprietary advances, Autolus exemplifies the UK’s strength in immuno-oncology innovation. As it scales commercial operations and advances its next-generation pipeline, Autolus is well-positioned to expand the impact of CAR-T therapies across a broader range of cancers and set new standards in personalized oncology treatment.

Learn more on how to advance clinical trials in CAR-T cell therapy with TFS, utilizing expert project management, tailored solutions, and flexibility. Download our case study. 

4. Bicycle Therapeutics

Bicycle Therapeutics (Cambridge, UK & Boston, US) is developing a new class of drugs known as “bicycles” – fully synthetic short peptides constrained in a two-loop structure. These bicyclic peptides combine the targeting savvy of antibodies with the cell penetration and manufacturing simplicity of small molecules. Bicycle’s lead asset, zelenectide pevedotin, is a Bicycle Toxin Conjugate targeting Nectin-4 (a protein on cancer cells) and is now in Phase 2/3 trials for metastatic bladder cancer. The company’s unique platform has drawn major partnerships: in 2023 Bicycle inked collaborations with Novartis and Bayer to develop radiopharmaceutical therapies using Bicycle’s tumor-homing peptides. It also raised a whopping $555 million private financing in May 2024 to fuel its pipeline of oncology programs. By melding chemistry and biology, Bicycle is opening new therapeutic possibilities, from targeted cancer payloads to potential neurological and ophthalmic drugs, all built on its miniature cyclic peptides. With late-stage clinical trials underway, major pharma partnerships secured, and substantial funding in place, Bicycle Therapeutics is poised to redefine targeted therapy and deliver a new generation of precision medicines across multiple disease areas.

5. Sitryx

Sitryx (Oxford, UK) is pioneering immunometabolism – developing therapies that reprogram the metabolic state of immune cells to treat inflammation and autoimmune diseases. Sitryx believes that instead of broadly suppressing the immune system, it can reset immune cell function by altering cellular metabolism, thereby more effectively resolving chronic inflammation. The company’s lead candidate, SYX-5219, is a first-in-class therapy aimed at atopic dermatitis (eczema). In early 2025, Sitryx announced the start of a Phase 1 trial of SYX-5219 in healthy volunteers, marking its first program to enter the clinic. This follows a new influx of funding – an additional $39 million raised in late 2023 to advance its pipeline. Backed by investors like SV Health and global pharma (previously a $30 million Series A was led by GSK), Sitryx is building a pipeline that could also tackle rheumatoid arthritis and other conditions. By targeting the metabolic switches of immune cells, Sitryx aims to deliver disease-modifying treatments for dermatology and beyond. With its lead candidate now in the clinic, strong investor support, and a growing pipeline, Sitryx is well-positioned to lead a new wave of precision immunology—offering hope for patients with chronic inflammatory and autoimmune diseases that remain underserved by current therapies.

6. Evox Therapeutics

Evox Therapeutics (Oxford, UK) is leveraging tiny natural vesicles called exosomes to overcome drug delivery challenges in genetic diseases. Evox has engineered an exosome-based platform, DeliverEX, that packages therapeutic payloads (like RNA or enzymes) inside exosomes to stealthily ferry them into target tissues. One major application is delivering gene therapies to the brain – Evox is developing exosome-loaded AAV gene therapies for neurological disorders, aiming to evade the immune system and allow repeat dosing. Still in preclinical stages, Evox’s approach has attracted notable partners: in 2020, Eli Lilly signed a collaboration worth up to $1.1 billion to use Evox’s exosome technology for RNA interference and antisense therapies in the brain. Evox also raised £69.2 million (~$95 million) in a Series C financing to advance its pipeline. With two lead programs for undisclosed CNS diseases moving toward the clinic, Evox could open a new frontier for treating neurological and metabolic diseases that are currently unreachable with conventional biologics. Backed by strong partnerships and cutting-edge delivery science, Evox is advancing a transformative platform that could redefine how genetic medicines are delivered—offering new hope for patients with the most challenging and underserved conditions.

7. Beacon Therapeutics

Beacon Therapeutics (London, UK & Dublin, Ireland) is an ophthalmic gene therapy company launched in 2023 to cure rare blindness conditions. Backed by Syncona and Oxford Science Enterprises, Beacon has quickly become a leader in retinal gene therapies. The company raised an impressive $170 million Series B in mid-2024, bringing its total funding to $290 million for advancing multiple eye programs. Beacon’s lead candidate, AGTC-501, is a gene therapy for X-linked retinitis pigmentosa (XLRP) – a hereditary retinal disease that causes progressive vision loss. AGTC-501 delivers a functional RPGR gene to patient eyes, aiming to address all photoreceptor damage in XLRP. The therapy is currently in a Phase 2/3 trial, with the first patient dosed in June 2024. Beacon’s pipeline originates from the ophthalmic gene therapy assets acquired by Syncona through its acquisition of AGTC (Applied Genetic Technologies Corp.) and includes other preclinical programs for prevalent and rare retinal disorders. With its war chest of funding and clinical trials underway, Beacon exemplifies the UK’s emergence in gene therapy – translating cutting-edge science into hopeful new treatments for blindness. As it advances AGTC-501 through late-stage development and progresses additional candidates from its robust pipeline, Beacon is well-positioned to become a global leader in ophthalmic gene therapy, bringing sight-saving solutions to patients with few or no existing treatment options.

Learn more how gene therapy is revolutionizing the treatment of rare diseases, unlocking groundbreaking medical advancements that address the root genetic causes of these conditions. Download our gene therapy white paper!

8. Prothena

Prothena Corporation (Dublin, Ireland) is a late-stage biotech developing therapies for neurodegenerative and rare protein misfolding diseases. A spin-out from Elan Pharmaceuticals, Prothena has built a robust pipeline targeting pathogenic proteins in disorders like Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s, and amyloidosis. In Alzheimer’s disease, Prothena is advancing PRX005, an antibody against the microtubule-binding region of tau protein. Pharma partner Bristol Myers Squibb recently opted to license PRX005 worldwide – in 2023 BMS paid Prothena $55 million for global rights, with up to $2.2 billion in potential milestone payments. This deal followed Phase 1 data showing PRX005 safely hit its targets in Alzheimer’s patients. Prothena is also developing PRX012, a next-generation anti-amyloid-β antibody, and PRX123, a dual Aβ/tau vaccine, as part of its Alzheimer’s franchise. Beyond neurodegeneration, Prothena is known for its work in amyloidosis – its antibody birtamimab is in a Phase 3 study for AL amyloidosis, a rare fatal protein disorder. With partnerships (including a prior alliance with Roche in Parkinson’s) and proprietary programs, Prothena is one of Ireland’s flagship biotechs translating protein science into breakthrough therapies. As multiple candidates advance through late-stage development, Prothena is well-positioned to deliver first-in-class and best-in-class treatments for some of the most challenging neurodegenerative and protein misfolding diseases—bringing the promise of meaningful clinical impact to patients worldwide.

9. Resolution Therapeutics 

Resolution Therapeutics (Edinburgh & London, UK) is advancing a novel class of macrophage-based cell therapies to treat chronic liver diseases and cancer. The company’s proprietary platform harnesses the regenerative and anti-fibrotic properties of macrophages—immune cells that play a central role in tissue repair—to target conditions with limited therapeutic options, such as end-stage liver disease and hepatocellular carcinoma. Resolution’s lead program, RTX-001, is designed to treat patients with advanced liver cirrhosis by delivering autologous macrophages directly to damaged liver tissue. These engineered cells are intended to reduce fibrosis, promote regeneration, and delay or prevent the need for liver transplantation. In parallel, the company is expanding its pipeline into immuno-oncology, exploring macrophage cell therapies that could reshape the tumor microenvironment and enhance anti-cancer immune responses.

The company raised £63.5 million in a 2024 Series B financing, one of the largest UK cell therapy fundraises to date, to support clinical development and manufacturing scale-up. Investors include Syncona and Forbion, reinforcing the market’s confidence in Resolution’s approach to cell-based regeneration. Backed by strong academic partnerships—including with the University of Edinburgh—and a robust translational research engine, Resolution is well-positioned to pioneer a new therapeutic category. Its progress in chronic liver disease and potential expansion into solid tumors underscores the versatility and promise of macrophage therapies. With clinical trials on the horizon, strong investor backing, and a clear vision for scalable, cell-based regeneration, Resolution Therapeutics is poised to become a leader in the next generation of immunomodulatory therapies—offering new hope to patients with few existing treatment options.

Don’t miss: Esther Kitto, VP of Clinical Operations, and Lara Campana, SVP of Research & Translational Science, speaking at OCT UK & Ireland 2025 on operational strategies in cell therapy trials.

10. Eyebiotech (EyeBio)

Eyebio (London, UK & Princeton, US) is a clinical-stage ophthalmology company developing precision biologics for retinal vascular diseases. Founded in 2021 by Dr. David Guyer and Dr. Anthony P. Adamis, EyeBio is focused on restoring barrier function in retinal diseases that lead to vision loss. EyeBio’s lead candidate, Restoret, is a first-in-class tetravalent, tri-specific antibody designed to simultaneously modulate multiple pathways involved in vascular leakage and inflammation. Restoret is being developed for diabetic macular edema (DME) and neovascular age-related macular degeneration (nAMD)—two major causes of vision impairment with significant unmet medical need. In 2024, EyeBio initiated a Phase 1b/2a clinical trial of Restoret, marking a major step forward in validating its multifunctional approach.

Backed by over $130 million in Series A and B financing from investors including SV Health Investors and Samsara BioCapital, EyeBio is positioned as a new leader in ophthalmic innovation. The company’s pipeline also includes next-generation biologics for additional retinal disorders, with preclinical candidates aimed at enhancing durability and extending treatment intervals. Led by a seasoned executive team and supported by global operations in both the UK and US, EyeBio combines deep clinical expertise with innovative biologic engineering. Its approach may usher in a new era of long-acting, multifunctional therapies that address the root causes of retinal barrier dysfunction. As Restoret progresses through clinical development and additional pipeline candidates advance, EyeBio is well-positioned to transform the treatment landscape for retinal diseases—bringing durable, sight-preserving therapies to patients worldwide and setting a new standard in ophthalmic care.

Don’t miss: Divya Chadha Manek, Director of Clinical Operations at EyeBio, participating in a panel at OCT UK & Ireland 2025 on accelerating trials in complex therapeutic areas.

As the life sciences landscape across the UK and Ireland continues to expand, emerging innovators like these are redefining what’s possible in clinical development. At TFS, we specialize in supporting biotech and specialty pharma companies through every stage of their clinical journey — with deep expertise in oncology, dermatology, neuroscience, and ophthalmology. With our established presence in the UK and across Europe, we’re proud to be part of this thriving ecosystem advancing scientific breakthroughs on a global scale.

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