The London
Cancer Hub
The London Cancer Hub is home to one of the world’s most influential cancer research, treatment, clinical trials and innovation ecosystems.
The Institute for Cancer Research discovers more new cancer drugs than any other academic organisation in the world and works closely with the renowned Royal Marsden NHS Foundation Trust to develop better treatments for cancer patients. Also on site are the Epsom and St Helier’s Hospital Trust, the cancer care support provider Maggie’s, the Harris Academy and the Innovation Gateway – an incubator space for life science start-ups set up by the ICR and the London Borough of Sutton.
The London Borough of Sutton recently agreed the long lease sale of five hectares to Aviva Capital Partners, who are working with Socius to develop one million ft2 of research, treatment and innovation spaces alongside accommodation and amenities for local people and visitors.
Once fully developed, The London Cancer Hub will be the world’s leading centre for cancer research, treatment, education and enterprise. The ambitious regeneration project will deliver major social and economic benefits for the UK, contributing circa £1.2bn to the UK economy and creating thousands of jobs in health, science, education and construction.
The Institute of Cancer Research (ICR) and The Royal Marsden NHS Foundation Trust are in the top four centres for cancer research and treatment worldwide. The ICR is the UK’s second-ranked higher education institution for research quality, impact and environment and first in biological sciences and has strong links to industry with over 100 commercial partners.
Insurer Aviva and developer Socius will build one million ft2 of new research, treatment and innovation space alongside residential accommodation as part of the next stage of development The London Cancer Hub, to become the world’s leading cancer research district and a new home for life science in south London.
Sutton appeals to families, workers and businesses alike thanks to its perfect balance of suburban life and big city living, its quick connections to the heart of the capital, award-winning green space and high achieving schools.
The ICR and its hospital partner The Royal Marsden NHS Foundation Trust are together ranked in the top four centres for cancer research and treatment worldwide, and their joint Drug Development Unit is the leading oncology-focused phase I trial unit in the UK.
Facilities & infrastructure
The ICR is one of the world’s most successful academic institutions in industry collaboration. Researchers in our Centre for Cancer Drug Discovery, now based in a state-of-the-art, £75m new building in Sutton, have discovered 21 drug candidates since 2005, of which 13 have progressed into clinical trials, in collaboration with industry partners.
The ICR’s scientists have access to state-of-the-art research technologies including in genomics, proteomics, flow cytometry, light and electron microscopy, tissue culture, and histology. They are leaders in the development of cancer research models, including mouse models, at its dedicated Biological Services Unit, and its scientists have access to high-specification in vivo imaging technologies via the Centre for Cancer Imaging in Sutton. In some circumstances, the ICR enables access to some of its platform technologies to companies with which it collaborates or which align with its mission to defeat cancer, on a fee-for-service basis – including companies already on site at The London Cancer Hub.
The Royal Marsden is a world-leading cancer hospital. Its state-of-the-art facilities enable specialists to deliver the highest standards of care in comfortable and reassuring surroundings. It is continuously investing in its facilities to ensure patients receive the best possible treatment, care and experience. In Sutton, The Royal Marsden’s facilities include a large haematology practice, including stem cell transplants and car-T therapy, and its main molecular diagnostics laboratory – which is one of seven genomic laboratory hubs for NHS England, providing cancer testing for a population of around seven million people.
In December 2023, London Borough of Sutton completed the long lease sale for development by Aviva and Socius of a five-hectare site adjacent to the ICR and The Royal Marsden. Aviva and Socius will develop one million ft2 of research, treatment and innovation spaces alongside residential accommodation and amenities. It will be one of London’s most significant regeneration projects and once completed will make Sutton, and the capital, home to the world’s largest cancer life science district.
Additional information
Partners at The London Cancer Hub already undertake a wide range of public engagement activities. The ICR, for example, gained the highest possible mark in public and community engagement in the Government’s latest Knowledge Exchange Framework, with recent activities in Sutton including visit the ICR events with local schools. The Royal Marsden carries out a patient engagement programme including in patient involvement in research.
The London Cancer Hub carried out a year of activities in 2023-24 celebrating the fusion of art, science, and community through Sutton STEAMs Ahead, following a Cultural Impact Award to Sutton Council from The Mayor of London as part of its London Borough of Culture programme. Activities included award-winning science and dance fusion film We Dance for Life, winner of a major European award, and an artist residency at the ICR for glass artist Julie Light.
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East London Life Sciences Super Cluster
