Innovate UK’s Cancer Therapeutics programme has launched an Oncology Accelerator to support the development of early-stage health and life science innovation in the UK.

Innovate UK is launching an Oncology Accelerator as part of its Cancer Therapeutics programme which aims to unleash business-led innovation from the UK’s vibrant research base.

The Accelerator is open to applications from UK organisations developing broad innovations in the field of oncology. Successful applicants will benefit from an intensive five-month programme supporting them to tell a compelling story to potential funders.

Delivered through Lean Life Science (LLS) as part of its Oncology Development Programme 2 (ODP2), the accelerator is focused on de-risking tomorrow’s oncology innovations to maximise commercial and patient impact.

Using LLS’s unique network of relationships from across the R&D ecosystem, OPD2 is designed specifically to support academics and early-stage companies to address the challenges that arise from trying to navigate the fragmented nature of the life science ecosystem.  Through a proven structured development programme, ODP2 applies business tools alongside 1-2-1 coaching and mentoring from senior industry and commercial experts-in-residence. Together with its access to a comprehensive network of partners, LLS provides critical insights and project planning, leading to a validated costed delivery programme, along with the delivery partners needed to accelerate the translational journey of life science innovations into highly-desirable and fundable opportunities.

“Our vision is to provide a supportive ecosystem for UK entrepreneurs to deliver next-generation cancer therapies. We are delighted to be working with Lean Life Science on the Oncology Accelerator to facilitate the creation and growth of UK life science companies. Their breadth of expertise will undoubtedly improve the success of early-stage innovators in advancing their ideas towards delivering transformative cancer treatments for the patient. We would encourage innovators that focus on the development of next-generation immunotherapies or that support paediatric oncology indications to apply.”

Dr Karen Spink, Head of Medicines , Innovate UK

“The Lean Life Science team is honoured to be partnering with Innovate UK’s Cancer Therapeutics programme to catalyse cancer innovation in the UK. We are particularly excited to be able to provide entrepreneurs this rare opportunity to work directly with our network of global health and life science companies, internationally renowned entrepreneurship & senior industry oncology R&D experts, together with highly experienced delivery partners from across the UK R&D ecosystem. The individualised support of the final eight entrepreneurs, throughout the five-month ODP2 programme, will significantly enhance the ability of these projects to accelerate funding of their translational journey.”

Ned Wakeman, Founder and CEO , Lean Life Science

 

ODP2 timelines:

  • Open for applications until 21 May at 23:00
  • ODP2 Programme Information Webinars: 10 May at 13:00 & 17 May at 13:00
  • Application Interviews on 1 June
  • Successful applicants informed on 2 June
  • ODP2 Programme starts on the 6 June and runs for 20 weeks
  • Demo Day 19 October 2023

 

To find out more and apply, please click here.

 

About Lean Life Science

Lean Life Science is an organisation dedicated to catalysing innovation in life science through partnership. Focused on leveraging its unique network of partnerships with global pharma, contract research organisations, subject matter experts, charities, and investors and using its Innovation Development Framework™ (IDF) to provide the critical insights and validated delivery plans needed to accelerate the translational journey of life science innovations into highly desirable, de-risked, investable opportunities.

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