The study reveals a vibrant ecosystem sustaining a thriving and rapidly growing sector of the bio economy.
Dr Stephen Chambers, CEO at SynbiCITE, said: “Confirming the arrival of a new innovation ecosystem demands evidence: proof that variables ranging from investment, pipeline infrastructure, to talent and education are established and stable. We believe the industry has reached a critical mass of companies, showing a healthy churn of attrition and creation. Roughly 76% of all the start-ups founded in the survey period are still active and with the continuation of an effective national strategy in the future, this ecosystem will undoubtedly thrive, creating jobs and wealth while sustaining the UK’s leading role in the field.”
Highlighting sources of innovation and entrepreneurship and exploring R&D, technology transfer, investment and growth, the survey covers UK starts-ups between 2000 and 2016.
Professor Richard Kitney, Co-Director at SynbiCITE, said: “As you would expect of an industrial sector at a relatively early stage, synthetic biology in the UK will continue to require public as well as private investment. This will be essential to translate today’s research into the exciting industrial products of the future that promise to make such a positive difference to our world in health, energy, materials and the environment.”
A close look at 146 synthetic biology companies shows that the number of start-ups has doubled every 5 years during the survey period. Looking ahead, it seems likely that with the right support, the UK synthetic biology ecosystem will be able to model itself on the self-sustaining clusters found in the US in Silicon Valley, CA, and Cambridge, MA.
Professor Paul Freemont, Co-Director at SynbiCITE, said: “Patience will be crucial, the UK government has shown great support for synthetic biology, investing £300m in between 2009-2016. We have no doubt this industry has a bright future and look forward to expanding our work with world leaders in synthetic biology in the USA and Asia for example where so much exciting work is being done.”
