UK Biopharmaceuticals Contract Manufacturing Market- Growth, Share, Opportunities & Competitive Analysis, 2024 – 2032

Market Overview

The UK Biopharmaceuticals Contract Manufacturing Market is anticipated to grow significantly, increasing from USD 744.76 million in 2023 to approximately USD 2,724.71 million by 2032, registering a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 15.50% over the forecast period (2024–2032).

This robust expansion is being driven by the growing demand for cost-effective, scalable, and specialized drug manufacturing solutions. As pharmaceutical companies face rising R&D costs and increasing complexity in biologics production, many are turning to contract manufacturing organizations (CMOs) to streamline operations and accelerate time-to-market. The evolution of biologics, biosimilars, and personalized medicine has further intensified the need for advanced manufacturing capabilities—an area where UK-based CMOs offer strong expertise and infrastructure.

In addition, the UK's well-established regulatory environment, skilled workforce, and access to cutting-edge technologies provide an attractive setting for outsourcing. As sustainability becomes an integral part of the pharmaceutical supply chain, contract manufacturers are also adapting by integrating eco-friendly, cost-efficient processes, thereby opening up new avenues for innovation and long-term strategic partnerships.
Market Drivers
1. Cost Efficiency and Specialized Expertise

Outsourcing biopharmaceutical manufacturing enables companies to significantly reduce capital expenditure, improve cost-efficiency, and focus resources on core activities such as drug discovery and commercialization. Contract manufacturers bring to the table advanced infrastructure, experienced personnel, and in-depth regulatory knowledge, reducing the operational burden for biopharma firms.

The performance of the UK biopharmaceutical sector reflects this efficiency; for example, the sector reported a £108.1 billion turnover in 2021/22, underlining the economic viability and growing reliance on contract manufacturing. This shift allows biopharma companies to manage risks, scale production quickly, and ensure compliance with ever-evolving global standards.
Market Challenges
1. Regulatory Complexity and Compliance Costs

Despite its growth potential, the UK biopharmaceutical contract manufacturing sector faces notable regulatory hurdles. Adherence to stringent global and local standards—such as Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP)—requires continuous investment in training, audits, and infrastructure upgrades.

Post-Brexit regulatory changes have added another layer of complexity, requiring manufacturers to navigate new protocols and compliance structures for both UK and EU markets. For example, the sector invested over £9 billion in R&D during 2021/22 to support regulatory alignment and quality assurance. These investments, while necessary, increase operational costs and can result in production delays if not managed effectively.
Market Segmentation
By Source

Mammalian

Non-mammalian

By Service Type

Process Development

Upstream Processing

Downstream Processing

Fill & Finish Operations

Analytical & Quality Control (QC) Studies

Packaging & Labelling

Other Services

By Drug Type

Biologics

Monoclonal Antibodies (mAbs)

Recombinant Proteins

Vaccines

Antisense, RNAi, & Molecular Therapy

Others

Biosimilars

By Product Type

Drug Substance

Finished Drug Product

By Scale of Operation

Clinical

Commercial

By Therapeutic Area

Oncology

Autoimmune Diseases

Cardiovascular Diseases

Infectious Diseases

Others

By Geography

London

Manchester

Birmingham

Scotland

Key Market Players

Fareva Holdings SA

Recipharm AB

Boehringer Ingelheim Group

Aenova Group

Famar SA

Lonza Group

Cenexi – Laboratoires Thissen SA

Almac Group