Is US market entry still essential for UK life science companies?
May 7th 2025
For decades, the conventional wisdom has been clear, if you’re a UK-based life science or medtech company with growth ambitions, expanding into the United States is more than strategic, it’s essential.
The sheer scale of the US market, access to deep-pocketed investors, and the critical importance of FDA approval have long made the US a natural destination.
But as highlighted in a recent CXO event hosted by Frazier & Deeter, Newgrange Consultants, and Compass Carter Osborne, the question is no longer so straightforward.
A changing landscape
With political uncertainty on the rise, particularly around tariff policies and global trade relationships, many UK companies are reconsidering the timing and structure of their US market entry. President Trump’s evolving trade stance has introduced volatility, with panelists noting the unpredictability of new tariffs and the broader implications for globalization.
This political backdrop has raised a critical question: does the old playbook still apply?
Opportunity still dominates risk
Despite the shifting political winds, most panelists were aligned, entering the US remains a high-priority objective. The American healthcare market continues to offer the highest per capita spend globally, a unified regulatory regime, and a concentrated investor base. Panelists reported no major slowdowns in client activity and suggested that companies are learning to “feel comfortable being uncomfortable.”
The long-term fundamentals remain unchanged. For companies seeking to scale, particularly those in clinical development, the US is often where key partnerships, investment rounds, and commercial launches converge.
From strategy to necessity
Ultimately, while the road may now be bumpier, the US still represents a path that most UK life sciences companies must walk. The message from the experts? Prepare thoroughly, adapt intelligently, and don’t let short-term noise derail long-term goals.
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