Cancer Tech Accelerator Launches
New partnership announced with British Land that will support the programme through its Regent’s Place campus.
News
Bridging the ‘Translation Gap’: Fifth Cancer Tech Accelerator Launches to Scale UK Oncology Breakthroughs.
LONDON, UK – 15 April 2026 – The fifth cohort of the Cancer Tech Accelerator launches today, bringing together a new generation of oncology innovators to start, scale and commercialise breakthrough technologies that have the potential to transform cancer outcomes.
The 2026 edition of the accelerator will be delivered in partnership with British Land, with the programme to be structured around its Regent’s Place campus – London’s Frontier Campus.
The Cancer Tech Accelerator was established to address one of the UK’s most pressing healthcare challenges: the cancer innovation gap. In the UK, this gap lies in translation rather than discovery. Despite world-leading research, too many breakthroughs fail to reach patients, held back by fragmented pathways between academia, investors and clinical adoption, as well as complex regulatory and commercialisation barriers.
Founded in 2021 by Cancer Research Horizons and Capital Enterprise, the Cancer Tech Accelerator was created to tackle this translational bottleneck. Since launch, the programme has supported over 320 academics and innovators, helped create 167 new jobs, and awarded £1.3 million in critical early-stage funding. Alumni companies have gone on to raise over $68 million in follow-on investment and grant funding.
Building on this momentum, the fifth cohort will benefit from a targeted support platform designed to accelerate progress from concept to clinic. Founders will have access to specialist facilities for proof-of-concept validation, expert regulatory and IP guidance, and a highly connected network of clinicians, investors and industry leaders. This will enable clear, scalable routes to market.
The programme launches at a critical moment for cancer care. Incidence among under-50s is rising across major tumour types. Yet screening and referral pathways remain largely age-based, contributing to later diagnoses and poorer outcomes. At the same time, diagnostic capacity across the UK is under strain, with workforce shortages and growing waiting lists delaying time to diagnosis.
Against this backdrop, a new wave of cancer technologies is emerging, particularly in AI-enabled diagnostics and decentralised testing. These innovations could enable earlier detection, reduce pressure on healthcare systems, and improve survival rates at scale. Realising this potential, however, depends on successfully translating innovation into deployable solutions within the NHS and beyond.
Through its partnership with the Cancer Tech Accelerator, British Land provides the infrastructure and ecosystem needed to support this transition. Key programme activity will take place at the Regent’s Place campus, where founders can access a connected environment spanning research, talent, capital and commercial expertise. This integrated approach helps remove barriers to growth and accelerates the journey from breakthrough science to real-world application.
As the fifth cohort begins, the partnership reflects a shared ambition: to unlock the full potential of UK cancer innovation and ensure that cutting-edge technologies reach patients faster, transforming outcomes across the oncology pathway.
Phase I of the fifth cohort launched on 6th May 2026, with 25 companies selected from 89 applications. 60% of projects are female-led – more than double the industry average – spanning 13 UK universities from Cambridge to Cardiff. Standout projects include a brain tumour diagnostic working from a tear sample, an implantable hydrogel releasing chemotherapy triggered by the patient’s own radiotherapy, a home-testable nasal swab for lung cancer screening, and a team engineering the body’s own immune cells to carry drug cargo into brain tumours. One company is even launching hardware into space this year to study proteins that have resisted every Earth-based drug discovery attempt.
Lotus Qi, Head of MedTech at Capital Enterprise said:
“We’re delighted to be partnering with British Land for the fifth edition of the Cancer Tech Accelerator. This year’s cohort reflects the strength and breadth of innovation emerging across the UK cancer ecosystem. We’re seeing exceptionally high-calibre teams tackling challenges across the entire oncology pathway, from early detection and diagnostics to treatment and monitoring. What stands out is not just the quality of the science, but the focus on real-world application. We’re proud to support these founders as they navigate the complex journey from breakthrough research to patient impacts, and we congratulate all those selected into this year’s cohort.”
Simon Hepher-Davies, Head of Regents Place and Innovation Assets said:
“Regent’s Place is London’s Frontier Campus – a place where ambitious ideas can grow into real-world solutions. Our partnership with the Cancer Tech Accelerator reflects our commitment to supporting the next generation of science and technology companies. By bringing together infrastructure, talent and capital in one ecosystem, we’re helping founders move faster from breakthrough research to real-world impact.”
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About British Land
British Land is a UK commercial property company focused on real estate sectors with the strongest operational fundamentals: London campuses, retail parks, and London urban logistics. We own or manage a portfolio valued at £15.2bn (British Land share: £9.8bn) as at 30 September 2025.
Our purpose is to create and manage Places People Prefer – outstanding places that deliver positive outcomes for all our stakeholders on a long term, sustainable basis. We do this by leveraging our best in class platform and proven expertise in development, repositioning and active asset management.
We have both a responsibility and an opportunity to manage our business in an environmentally and socially responsible manner. Our approach to sustainability is focused on three pillars: Greener Spaces, Thriving Places and Responsible Choices.
Read more about us at www.britishland.com.
About the Cancer Tech Accelerator
The Cancer Tech Accelerator is a UK-based programme supporting the development and commercialisation of innovative cancer technologies. Founded in 2021 by Cancer Research Horizons and Capital Enterprise, CTA focuses on bridging the gap between world-leading research and real-world patient impact.
CTA brings together researchers, entrepreneurs, clinicians and investors to accelerate the translation of oncology innovation. Through a structured programme, it provides access to specialist support, including proof-of-concept development, regulatory and IP expertise, and a connected network of industry and investment partners.
CTA’s mission is to help high-potential cancer technologies move more quickly from concept to clinic, improving patient outcomes and strengthening the UK’s position as a global leader in cancer innovation.
Read more at https://www.cancertechaccelerator.co.uk/.