Oncology
Since the establishment of the Institute of Cancer Research in 1909, London has led the world in advancing oncology research and care.
#1 city in Europe
for oncology clinical trials, with >1,500 live oncology trials at any one time
More specialist oncology sites
than any other city globally
Home to Europe’s largest comprehensive cancer centre, the Royal Marsden, and the Institute for Cancer Research, one of the world’s most influential cancer research centres
Based in London, Cancer Research UK is the world’s
largest independent funder of cancer research
Top VC funders
- Epidarex Capital
- Syncona Partners
- Alsa Ventures
- IP Group (including Touchstone Innovations)
- SFC Capital
- UCL Technology Fund
- Abingworth Ventures
Success stories:
Advanced Oncotherapy
Advanced Oncotherapy is developing proton therapy, offering reduced treatment frequency and potential superiority in treating breast cancer patients, with the ability to target tumours at any depth.
The first commercial system will fit in listed buildings in the heart of London in Harley Street.
Success stories:
Institute of Cancer Research: Forecasting tumour evolution
In 2017, a partnership of researchers from the Institute of Cancer Research and the University of Edinburgh, successfully developed a Machine Learning method which identified hidden patterns in the way cancers change over time. This lays the groundwork for better understanding and managing cancer progression.
Success stories:
Great Ormond Street Hospital: CAR-T therapy for children
In 2018, Great Ormond Street Hospital became the first place in the world to deliver personalised CAR-T therapy to children with B cell acute lymphoblastic leukaemia. CAR-T therapy uses the patients’ own immune cells to target cancers and has the potential to cure cancers which have not responded to other treatments.
Success stories:
UCL: Targeted Intraoperative Radiotherapy for breast cancer
In 2020, UCL researchers led a major study of a super-effective single-dose breast cancer treatment, TARGIT-IORT. The treatment, a single dose of radiotherapy administered during lumpectomy surgery, was shown to deliver comparable outcomes to conventional radiotherapy, while reducing treatment burden and improving quality of life.
Programmes & initiatives
- The North Central London Cancer Alliance brings together patients, hospital trusts, GPs, health service commissioners, and local authorities to improve cancer outcomes and care. Learn more
- The Cancer Tech Accelerator supports innovative technologies that can advance the early detection, diagnosis, monitoring or treatment of cancer. Learn more
- Lean Life Science’s Oncology Development Programme provides innovators with direct access to industry experts that serves to de-risk and catalyse the development of innovations. Learn more
- For other relevant support programmes and funding see Support.
MORE EXPERTISE
AI & data science
Cell & gene therapy
Digital health
Diagnostics & biomarkers
Genomics
Cardiovascular & respiratory
Immunology & infectious disease
Mental health & neurodegeneration
