The UK life sciences sector continues to generate scientific discoveries and face increasing global demand for healthcare innovations. The Technology Supply Chain (TSC) operates as a collaborative network connecting various stakeholders in this ecosystem.
Network Structure and Function
Originally established in the West Midlands, the TSC has expanded to operate nationally. The organisation facilitates connections between manufacturers, technology companies, life sciences firms, universities, support organisations, and service businesses.
The TSC focuses on creating partnerships between different types of organisations, such as linking university researchers with manufacturing partners or connecting biotech companies with regulatory advisory services.
Funding and Financial Support
Capital access remains a significant challenge for life sciences companies, particularly small and medium enterprises (SMEs) moving from research to commercialisation. The TSC provides information about funding opportunities, including grants, collaborative R&D programs, and investment connections.
The TSC aims to help members navigate the funding landscape by connecting them with relevant opportunities based on their development stage and capital needs.
West Midlands Health Tech Innovation Accelerator
The TSC is proud to be a delivery partner for the West Midlands Health Tech Innovation Accelerator (WMHTIA). This is a multi-million-pound project funded by Innovate UK, WMCA, and the Department for Science, Innovation, and Technology. WMHTIA has supported over 250 life sciences companies with innovation and funding. The TSC supports participants with finding funding, connecting with the West Midlands innovation system, commercialisation and growth.
West Midlands Life Sciences Week
The TSC is a delivery partner for the West Midlands Life Sciences Week, an event series that brings together representatives from academia, industry, investment, and policy sectors. The week features multiple events designed to facilitate networking and partnership development.
Infrastructure Access
The UK maintains various innovation infrastructure facilities, including the High Value Manufacturing Catapult and the Centre for Process Innovation’s biologics and cell therapy centres. The TSC works to connect members with these national resources.
Digital Supply Chain Focus
Life sciences companies face increasing requirements for supply chain transparency, traceability, and regulatory compliance. The TSC shares information about digital transformation technologies including IoT, blockchain, and advanced analytics.
Recent innovations in the sector include developments like thermostable vaccine formats that eliminate cold chain requirements, potentially improving global distribution capabilities.
Government Alignment
The UK government has allocated up to £600 million for life sciences innovation platforms, AI-ready health data infrastructure, and manufacturing investment. The TSC works to inform members about these opportunities and how they might access them.
Organizational Approach
| Challenge Area | TSC Response | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| Innovation Development | Early-stage collaboration opportunities | ||
| Capital Access | Connections to funding networks | ||
| Supply Chain Management | Information sharing on digital tools and best practices | ||
| Regulatory Compliance | Policy guidance and expert connections | ||
| Market Access | Events and partnership facilitation | ||
Membership and Operations
The TSC has over 5,000 members across manufacturing, technology, the life sciences, academia and services organisation sectors. They offer different membership levels (including free digital membership) and engagement options for different types of organisations, from SMEs to multinational companies and academic institutions.
The network operates through both digital platforms and in-person events, providing multiple ways for members to engage with the broader ecosystem.
Sector Context
The UK life sciences sector operates within a competitive global environment. The TSC helps scale-up and established life sciences companies to discover new opportunities, new customers, new suppliers, grants, finance and innovation support. You can find out more information about the TSC at https://technologysupplychain.co.uk
