Investments in new research and production capacities are driving innovation in the life sciences industry. They lay the foundation for the development of modern therapies and medicines. However, these multi-million-pound construction projects often run into difficulties. There are many reasons for this, but five seem to be systemic. Anyone who wants to successfully implement investment projects must consider numerous factors from the outset, from strategic planning to operational implementation. We look at five reasons why life sciences projects run into difficulties and how these can be avoided.