According to greenfield investment monitor fDi Markets, FDI in the western European life sciences sector increased in the fourth quarter of 2015, compared with the previous quarter. Capital investment increased by 307%, with $1.87bn invested in the sector. Of this, Austria accounted for 29% of the total market share followed by the UK with 25% and Germany with 12%. 

The US was the top investor in western Europe's life sciences sector in the fourth quarter of 2015, accounting for 39% of total capital investment, followed by Germany with 36% and France with 12%. Of the non-western European source countries, Australia ranked in second place, followed by India, Israel, Lithuania and China. 

As a result of this increased investment, employment in the western European life sciences sector also increased, with job creation as a result of FDI up by 75.81% in the fourth quarter of 2015, compared with the previous quarter. The UK saw the biggest gains in terms of job creation, with 735 new jobs in the country's life sciences sector. Austria ranked in second place with 440 new jobs and Ireland ranked in third place, with 295 new jobs in the fourth quarter.

In terms of source countries, the US generated 1077 jobs for western Europe’s life sciences sector and ranked in first place. It was followed by Germany, which generated 714 jobs and Switzerland with 251 jobs. In line with job creation and increasing capital investment, project numbers also increased in the fourth quarter of 2015 by 20%.