Lean Life Science receive Innovate UK funding to deliver new oncology accelerator

Alderley Edge, 11 May 2023 - Lean Life Sciences is pleased to announce that it has been selected by Innovate UK to deliver its oncology accelerator to support the development of early-stage health and life science innovation in the UK.
 
Delivered through its ODP2 programme, and co-funded by Cancer Research Horizons, organisations with a novel cancer innovation will be able access to expert insights and resources to support rapid navigation of their complex development journey.
 
ODP2 is open now to UK-based academic and early-stage companies with any therapeutic modality, diagnostic, digital, health or med tech oncology-focused innovation. Selected by independent expert assessors, the nominated innovators will present to an expert panel who will choose eight projects to join the programme on the 5 June.
 
The final eight will receive dedicated non-dilutive funding to develop their project plans and pitch decks. This is combined with hands-on support from world-recognised business innovation tools instructors, oncology industry experts, investors, a unique network of leading contract research organisations, and feedback directly from industry partners. Recently showcased at BioTrinity, ODP2 uses a proven approach that has seen attendees of ODP1 secure over £50 million in funding to date.
 

Ned Wakeman, Founder and CEO of Lean Life Science, stated: “We are excited to launch this extraordinary opportunity for entrepreneurs to work directly with such a special network of global health and life science partners and experts in supporting the development of UK-based oncology innovations. The unique individualised support will significantly enhance the ability of these projects to obtain funding of their translational journey.”

 

Dr Karen Spink, Head of Medicines at Innovate UK, commented: “Innovate UK’s 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 and Cancer Research Horizons on the Oncology Accelerator to facilitate the creation and growth of UK life science companies. Their unique breadth of expertise will undoubtedly improve the success of early-stage innovators in advancing their ideas towards delivering transformative cancer treatments for the patient.”

 

Tony Hickson, Chief Business Officer at Cancer Research UK and Cancer Research Horizons, said: "We are delighted that our support of Lean Life Science’s ODP2 Programme to date has resulted in many of the UK’s most exciting innovators being given invaluable first-hand insights into what is required to take an oncology innovation from the bench into the clinic. This IUK funding will provide further important support for UK-based oncology innovations on their journey. 

 
ODP2 provides: 

• On-going coaching from internationally recognised experts in business planning and entrepreneurship
• Regular review and insight from an expert panel with decades of experience in developing oncology products
• Input & advice from CRO partners, NHS clinicians, and academia
• Regular input & support to your project from global pharmaceutical, health tech and med tech companies
• Pitch practice to pharma and investors

 
To find out more about the ODP2 programme, visit  https://leanlifescience.com/apply/