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 London Cancer Hub
The London Cancer Hub is a globally significant centre for cancer research, treatment and innovation, bringing together world-leading academic, clinical and commercial organisations in one location in Sutton, South London. Anchored by The Institute of Cancer Research (ICR) and The Royal Marsden NHS Foundation Trust, the District supports collaboration across the full pathway from discovery science through to patient care and commercial translation.
The London Cancer Hub
In February 2026, planning consent was secured for a £1 billion expansion of the London Cancer Hub, delivering c. 1 million sq ft of new, state-of-the-art research and laboratory space across 12 acres. This major next stage of growth will strengthen the District’s role as one of the world’s most ambitious life sciences clusters, enabling deeper collaboration between researchers, clinicians, start-ups, scale-ups and global life science companies.
The expansion is expected to create 3,000 new high-skilled jobs, with the wider London Cancer Hub district projected to support 13,000 jobs in total.
Innovation & Growth
A key part of the London Cancer Hub’s ecosystem is the Innovation Gateway – a dedicated life science incubator providing fully fitted laboratory, office and collaboration space for early-stage and scaling companies working in oncology and related health-tech fields.
The Innovation Gateway supports a growing community of innovative occupiers, helping companies embed within the wider district and benefit from proximity to scientific expertise, clinical insight and world-class research infrastructure.
A World-Class Cluster for Oncology
The London Cancer Hub brings together internationally recognised institutions and facilities in a single, connected district, including:
- The Institute of Cancer Research (ICR)
- The Royal Marsden NHS Foundation Trust
- The Innovation Gateway incubator for start-ups and scale-ups
- The wider planned district expansion, delivering new lab and research capacity at scale
Future Vision
The London Cancer Hub is recognised as nationally significant science infrastructure, aligned with UK ambitions to strengthen life sciences, innovation and research-led growth. With planning approval now in place, the next phase will deliver the type of high-quality laboratory space and district amenities needed to compete internationally and attract the world’s leading talent, companies and investment.
Why it matters
With its unique concentration of cancer expertise and a major pipeline of new research and commercial space now consented, the London Cancer Hub is positioned to become one of the world’s leading locations for oncology-focused innovation – supporting cutting-edge research, scaling high-growth companies, and accelerating the translation of scientific breakthroughs into real-world clinical impact.
MORE PLACES
East London Life Sciences Super Cluster
