More than 150 leaders from the pharmaceutical and life sciences sector gathered at Victoria House on Monday 8 June 2026 for the 17th annual PING (Pharmaceutical Industry Network Group) Conference, hosted by VWV. This year’s theme, “Britain’s Life Sciences Strategy: How will the UK lead Europe by 2030?”, set the stage for a day of forward-looking conversation about the UK’s place in global life sciences.
10 years on from the Brexit vote, the Government’s 10-year Industrial Strategy has set out an ambitious target for the UK to become Europe’s leading life sciences economy by 2030, and the third most important globally – behind the US and China – by 2035. The conference brought industry experts together to ask if that ambition achievable, and what will it actually take to get there?
Across the day, speakers explored a range of themes shaping the sector’s future. Keynote speaker George Freeman MP (Deputy Chair of the Science, Innovation & Technology Select Committee) set the tone for the day with an engaging opening that highlighted the UK’s genuine strengths – including four of the top ten universities in the world and London completing more life sciences deals than the rest of the continent. The UK has the foundations but must rise to the challenge of an increasingly competitive global landscape.
Lawrence Tallon (CEO, MHRA) outlined how the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency has moved through a journey from shock to recovery and into transformation – with innovation for the benefit of patients at its heart. He said regulation should not be an inhibitor but an enabler.
Julia Vitarello (Founder, Mila’s Miracle Foundation) inspired the audience by turning personal tragedy to hope – discussing how her innovative master protocol, designed to enable treatment for individual patients with rare diseases, is bringing hope to millions of families worldwide, and why the UK was her chosen destination to make it happen because of the MHRA’s approach, Genomics England and the NHS.
Bill Morgan (former Number 10 Downing Street Health Policy Special Adviser) followed, giving an insight at the power of the NHS and discussed the benefits arising from the US/UK deal enabling greater spend on innovative medicines. James Duboff (Strategic Partnerships Director, Genomics England) showcased the continued momentum of Genomics England, with its Generation Study poised to lead to prevention, not just cure.
Ayokunmi Ajetunmobi (Head of Ventures, Pioneer Group) led a panel discussion with Matthew Durdy (CEO, Cell and Gene Therapy Catapult) and Chris Davison (CEO, Custom Pharma) exploring how UK manufacturing is benefiting from the Life Sciences Innovative Manufacturing Fund, but also how other parts of manufacturing need support.
Rikesh Patel (Senior Trade Manager, London & Partners) highlighted the vital work being done by London & Partners and other organisations in helping UK pharma benefit with export opportunities.
Ivana Poparic (Head of Life Sciences Cluster Development, MedCity) chaired an inspiring panel, featuring Natalia Misciattelli (CEO, AAVantgarde), Jonathan Haigh (Senior Vice President at UK Site, FujiFILM Diosynth Biotechnologies) and Gavin Addy (Stevenage Operations Vice President & GM, Autolus), who explored why an Italian chose the UK for cell and gene therapies, why a leading cell and gene therapy company chose Hertfordshire due to the skills base, and a large Japanese owned manufacturing company saw the UK as a place with rich heritage as the place to invest hundreds of millions of pounds.
Leslie Galloway (CEO, EMIG) felt uplifted by the breadth and quality of what he had heard, whilst Rav Seeruthun (VP Head of Medical Affairs Europe, GSK) expressed inspiration at the rare disease and clinical trial opportunities.
The evening rounded off a remarkable day, with drinks and dinner in the Victoria House atrium and entertainment from Magic Box in The Cabaret Club. Jonathan Bracey spoke movingly about his son’s rare disease, bringing a personal dimension to the themes that had run throughout the day.
Paul Gershlick, VWV Partner and Chair of PING, has commented: “There was a real sense that the UK has so much going for it in the life sciences sector and we just need to be better at shouting about it. We already show genuine leadership with academic excellence, a skilled workforce, innovation in cell and gene therapies and rare disease, with a positive regulator that is once again world-leading. It was no wonder that 50% of the attendees thought Britain would lead Europe in life sciences by 2030 and 31% thought it could.”
PING 2026 left delegates energised, knowing UK’s life sciences ambition is real, the opportunity is there, and the decisions made now will define the decade ahead.