UK biotech investment surged in Q2 2026 to a five-year high, reaching £2.11 billion ($2.84 billion) in equity financing, including a record-breaking £2.05 billion in VCl, according to an interview with Poolbeg Pharma CEO Jeremy Skillington. Skillington said the rebound reflects broader global improvements in biotech funding cycles rather than a purely UK-specific change. He pointed to resilient quality science from UK academic institutions that becomes investable when capital conditions normalize and noted that public-market exits remain limited, leaving trade sales as the dominant exit path. For operators and founders, the funding numbers provide near-term validation for liquidity and deal activity—while raising questions about sustainability once exits and returns come into sharper focus.