Top 3 British Biotech Stocks To Watch In October 2026

Energy markets are swinging wildly as geopolitical risks push oil above $113 a barrel, and that kind of volatility often draws attention to healthcare and drug research as more defensive growth ideas. British biotech stocks can look especially interesting here, with specialist science that does not rely directly on consumer confidence or oil prices. This article highlights three UK-listed biotech stocks from our quality-focused screener that could merit a closer look.

The three biotech stocks covered below are just a sample from this idea, and the full screen on Simply Wall St surfaced 3 more UK companies with similarly interesting stories that are not included here.

If you want to cut straight to the broader opportunity set, use the Biotech Stocks screener to identify, filter and analyze the biotech stocks that best fit your own risk and return preferences.

Hikma Pharmaceuticals (LSE:HIK)

Overview: Hikma Pharmaceuticals develops and sells generic, specialty and branded medicines worldwide, with a major hospital focused Injectables division that links directly to biopharma treatments.

Operations: Hikma generates most of its revenue from Injectables at US$1.4b, Hikma Rx at US$1.0b and Branded products at US$914 million.

Market Cap: £3.5b

Hikma Pharmaceuticals gives you exposure to biotech linked hospital therapies through its Injectables arm, while still being a diversified generic drug producer.

"Continued emphasis on high-value, complex generics and specialty injectables, supported by both internal R&D and strategic acquisitions, directly aligns with the increasing adoption of generics by healthcare systems seeking cost containment, providing Hikma with higher-margin growth opportunities and potential earnings expansion."

What happens to Hikma’s appeal if one unseen pressure quietly reshapes the balance between those higher margins and future acquisition costs?

That pressure point is exactly where Hikma’s story gets interesting, and the full narrative for Hikma Pharmaceuticals explores how acquisition costs, injectables momentum and capital discipline could be quietly reshaping the upside.

Oxford Biomedica (LSE:OXB)

Overview: Oxford Biomedica is a gene therapy focused CDMO that uses its LentiVector and viral vector platforms to manufacture treatments for biotech partners.

Operations: Oxford Biomedica earns most of its £175 million revenue from Manufacturing Services at £88 million and Development Services at £60 million, with smaller contributions from Procurement and Licences.

Market Cap: £619 million

Oxford Biomedica matters for this Biotech Stocks screen because its viral vector manufacturing sits at the point where gene therapy demand meets practical delivery capacity.

"A commercial pipeline of about $730m at mid 2026, up 30% year on year with contracted orders rising from £97m at half year to £127m by end August and a revenue backlog of £199m, gives Oxford Biomedica scope to convert a larger pool of already awarded work into recognised revenue and operating cash flow than typical top line models assume."

The key question is what happens to Oxford Biomedica’s appeal if an unseen pressure slows how quickly that work turns into higher margin runs.

That conversion risk is exactly what makes the full narrative for Oxford Biomedica worth reading, as it explains how Oxford Biomedica could turn stalled orders into accelerating high margin capacity.

Genus (LSE:GNS)

Overview: Genus plc supplies biotech driven animal genetics, using advanced breeding, genomic testing and reproductive technologies to improve dairy and pork herds worldwide.

Operations: Genus PIC generates £355.8 million and Genus ABS £299.8 million, with only £2.5 million from Central activities.

Market Cap: £1.5b

Genus brings a different angle to the Biotech Stocks theme, since its genetics work targets productivity gains in farm herds rather than human medicine. It still hinges on the same kind of lab driven breakthroughs that can meaningfully shift long term economics.

"While the PRP program is progressing through approvals in markets such as Canada, Mexico and Japan, planned PRP expenditure of about £13m in FY26 with a further increase guided for FY27 means cash outflows are locked in before revenue arrives."

The real swing factor for Genus is what happens if a single assumption about how quickly this genetics work converts to cash proves too optimistic.

If that timing risk is on your mind, the Genus full narrative for Genus shows how approval pacing, cash burn and herd genetics could be quietly setting up an accelerating payoff.

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