One of the participants was Prof. Yifat Merbl of the Weizmann Institute of Science, whose research earned her a place on Nature’s list of the “10 People Who Shaped Science in 2025.”
By Shula Rosen
A weeklong visit to the United Kingdom by a delegation of Israeli genomics and biodata specialists brought together researchers, investors, and policymakers to explore new channels for joint innovation in the life sciences, according to officials involved in the initiative.
The 10-member delegation, organized and led by the British Embassy in Israel, included senior figures from hospital-based genomics units, university laboratories, and Israel’s venture capital sector, alongside founders of health and data-driven startups.
One of the participants was Prof. Yifat Merbl of the Weizmann Institute of Science, whose research on the human immune system earned her a place on Nature’s list of the “10 People Who Shaped Science in 2025.”
The program centered on aligning Israel’s strengths in biomedical research and data analytics with British research infrastructure and commercialization pathways. Shira Lanir, head of Science and Technology at the British Embassy in Israel, said the visit was designed to move scientific discovery more quickly toward clinical and commercial impact.
“We are proud to lead this delegation of top Israeli genomics and biodata experts to the UK. Both the UK and Israel are global leaders in life sciences, and by combining strengths and capabilities, we can accelerate the translation of cutting-edge research into real-world health innovation solutions,” Lanir told Ynet.
Meetings took place across London’s Knowledge Quarter, a major research cluster that includes institutions such as University College London and the Francis Crick Institute.
Beyond research, the discussions highlighted expanding commercial links. In December, the British Department for Business and Trade announced a new program to help Israeli startups enter and scale within the UK market.
Israel’s British ambassador Simon Walters said the delegation builds on earlier steps, including a 2024 decision to establish a joint fund for bilateral research. “The UK and Israel have built a strong relationship on science and technology; the launch of the first UK-Israel bilateral research call marks a significant milestone, elevating the already fruitful collaboration between our research communities,” Walters said.
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