England's Northwest is one of the UK's top three clusters for the biomedical sector including biotechnology, pharmaceuticals and healthcare based on the region’s major pharmaceutical presence, a rapidly expanding biotechnology community and internationally renowned academic and clinical research strengths.

The region has some 200 biomedical companies, including seven multinational pharmaceutical companies employing 20,000 people and it is the highest exporter of pharmaceuticals in the UK (£3.4 billion). The cluster has a rich heritage, dating back to the industrial revolution and the development of the chemicals industry, which in turn lead to pharmaceuticals. Liverpool was one of the first sites to manufacture penicillin by fermentation during World War II.

The Northwest sector includes around 95 core companies, including the global research and development base for AstraZeneca, whilst the cluster also contains over 100 suppliers to the industry. The specialist cluster development group Bionow ® works to ensure that the region remains at the forefront of the next wave of biotechnology growth in Europe.

Bionow has identified the areas of expertise in which the Northwest has a competitive advantage. The list is not exhaustive but emphasises the world-class competencies that the region works to maintain and grow. Click on the links below to connect to the Bionow website for further information regarding core companies and research facilities in each area.

Bio & Health Informatics
Biomanufacturing
Cancer Research
Clinical Genetics
Clinical Trials
Genomics and Proteomics
Medical Imaging
Neuroscience
Tissue Engineering
Pharmaceutical Sciences
Vaccines and Infection

Watch the Biotechnology in England's Northwest Video.