Artificial intelligence and digital research are transforming the UK life sciences sector, shifting demand away from traditional wet labs towards flexible, digitally connected dry labs. In leading hubs like Cambridge, 78% of life sciences transactions last year were for spaces under 10,000 sq ft – showing a clear move towards smaller, agile units.

Developers and asset owners face new challenges:

• Wet labs are often over-specified and costly, with features many tenants no longer need.
• Dry labs offer greater design flexibility, lower environmental impact, and better alignment with sustainability and ESG goals.
• Planning authorities now prioritise energy use, waste risk, and embodied carbon, making dry labs more attractive for approvals.

As Richard Dawes, Director and Head of Life Sciences & Technology, says: “The next generation of life science occupiers need space that is efficient, agile and digitally connected.”

To stay ahead, asset owners and developers must reassess their properties and adapt to these evolving requirements.

Read the full article to discover how these trends are reshaping the future of life sciences spaces: