The corporate team has completed 17 transactions in the life science sector in less than 12 months, as venture capital interest in UK-based MedTech businesses continues to climb.
Among the transactions, Weightmans advised DSW Venture Capital on a £1.5m investment in Ulster University spin-out StimOxyGen. The funding is accelerating the development of a breakthrough cancer therapy that improves treatment efficacy against resistant tumours.
The firm also acted for Northstar Ventures as they provided £1.1m in additional financing to nanotech laboratory Nanovery Limited. The Newcastle-based lab uses pioneering nanorobotic sensors to detect biomarkers in liquid DNA samples, dramatically speeding up DNA testing and medical diagnoses.
Growing interest in AI-driven drug discovery and government reforms to visa policy are helping to boost investor confidence in UK life sciences, with investment in the sector increasing by 36% in 2024 according to analysis from pharmaceuticals trade publication pharmaphorum*.
Nick Gray, principal associate at Weightmans, said: “Life Sciences is somewhat bucking wider investment trends. In most sectors, there is trepidation following the Trump tariffs and ongoing economic uncertainty in the UK. In many cases, it’s why we’re seeing a very active M&A space, where consolidation to achieve resilience remains a prevalent trend.
“But there is real confidence in the life sciences industry as the AI revolution continues to open up opportunities for greater scale and research depth. Added to that, visa reforms and renewed government focus on skills are making firms, and their financial backers, feel more assured that they can access the talent and expertise they need to grow. The combined effect is to make life sciences one of the most dynamic and investable parts of the UK economy right now.”
The surge in life sciences activity comes after Weightmans’s corporate team in Newcastle made its fastest-ever start to a calendar year for deal completions, advising on 42 transactions in Q1 2025. Following this period of growth, the team recently welcomed solicitor Caitlin Sheldon on the successful completion of her training contract with the firm.
