Company Directory

Small molecule drug discovery targeting rare genetic diseases and oncology

Tay Therapeutics is a drug discovery company developing targeted small molecule therapies for rare genetic diseases and cancer. Its platform uses stop codon read-through technology to restore production of functional proteins disrupted by premature stop codon mutations, with programmes targeting oncology, cystic fibrosis, Duchenne muscular dystrophy, and epidermolysis bullosa. The company previously discovered and out-licensed two BET inhibitor programmes to VYNE Therapeutics, which are advancing in clinical trials for immuno-inflammatory conditions.

Global biopharma with UK manufacturing, commercial and clinical operations

MSD is a global biopharmaceutical company discovering, developing, manufacturing and marketing medicines and vaccines across oncology, infectious disease, immunology, cardiometabolic disease and animal health. Its UK operations span pharmaceutical manufacturing at Cramlington, Northumberland, which supplies medicines into the Merck global network, alongside commercial and clinical development functions headquartered at Moorgate, London, and an Animal Health division based in Milton Keynes. MSD conducts approximately 150 clinical studies in the UK annually.

Drug discovery platform targeting biomolecular condensates

Transition Bio is a biotechnology company developing a drug discovery platform based on the biology of biomolecular condensates, the membrane-less cellular structures implicated in a range of diseases. Using droplet microfluidics and machine learning, the company maps and modulates condensate behaviour to identify small-molecule candidates against targets previously considered undruggable. Lead programmes include a collaboration with Voyager Therapeutics targeting TDP-43 in ALS and frontotemporal dementia, and an internal oncology programme targeting MYC-driven cancers.

Preventing cancer therapy side effects with topical medicines

VasoDynamics is a clinical-stage pharmaceutical development company focused on preventing the debilitating side effects of cancer therapy. The company develops topical formulations targeting radiation-induced oral mucositis, dermatitis, and chemotherapy-induced hair loss, using vasoconstrictor and radioprotective compounds. Its technology platform, based on IP licensed from leading UK and US research institutions, has progressed through Phase Ib and Phase IIa clinical trials. VasoDynamics serves oncology patients undergoing radiotherapy and chemotherapy.

High-sensitivity lateral flow diagnostics for point-of-care testing

SwiftDx is a Cambridge-based diagnostics company developing a next generation of high-sensitivity lateral flow assays using proprietary eAMP (enhanced Amplification) and DNA detection technologies. Its platform enables detection of targets undetectable by conventional lateral flow tests, without requiring specialist equipment or laboratory facilities. The company's first commercial product is a rapid mycoplasma contamination detection kit for cell culture applications. Further products in development target HIV, dengue fever, hepatitis C, and prostate cancer.

CRO specialising in oncology, inflammation and respiratory disease models

Axis Bioservices is a preclinical contract research organisation providing bespoke in vitro and in vivo study services for pharmaceutical, biotechnology and academic clients. Specialist capabilities span oncology tumour models, inflammatory disease models including rheumatoid arthritis and pulmonary fibrosis, and respiratory disease models for conditions such as COPD and asthma. Services cover efficacy, mechanistic, and pharmacokinetic studies tailored to individual drug development programmes.

Fibroblast immunology platform targeting cancer and inflammatory disease

Mestag Therapeutics is a clinical-stage biotechnology company developing first-in-class antibody therapies targeting activated fibroblasts to modulate immune responses in cancer and inflammatory disease. Its lead programme, MST-0312, is a bispecific antibody designed to induce tertiary lymphoid structures in solid tumours to drive anti-tumour immunity. A second programme targets a stromal inhibitory receptor to address inflammatory conditions including rheumatoid arthritis, IBD, and lupus.

Next-generation lateral CAR-T therapies for refractory solid tumours

Leucid Bio Ltd is a clinical-stage biotechnology company developing next-generation CAR-T cell therapies for hard-to-treat solid tumours. Founded on over two decades of King's College London research, the platform redesigns the CAR signalling architecture to enhance T-cell potency, persistence, and tumour infiltration. Lead asset LEU011 targets NKG2D stress ligands expressed on over 80% of human tumours and is being evaluated in the Phase I/IIa AERIAL multi-centre dose-escalation trial, manufactured at Great Ormond Street Hospital's GMP facilities.

Target discovery platform and antibody-based therapies for oncology

Oxford BioTherapeutics is an Oxford-based clinical-stage oncology company discovering and developing first-in-class antibody-based cancer therapies. Its proprietary platform identifies novel membrane protein targets directly from patient tumour samples, enabling the development of ADCs, immuno-oncology antibodies, T-cell engagers, and CAR-T targets. The company licenses discovered targets and development candidates to major pharmaceutical partners including Bristol Myers Squibb, Roche, GSK, and Boehringer Ingelheim.

UK affiliate of global family-owned biopharmaceutical company

Boehringer Ingelheim is a global family-owned biopharmaceutical company founded in 1885. Its Bracknell headquarters houses functions spanning research and development, regulatory affairs, pharmacovigilance, medical affairs, and commercial operations across its human pharma and animal health divisions. It operates across therapeutic areas including respiratory disease, cardiovascular disease, oncology, immunology, and metabolic disorders. It is a member of the ABPI and one of the largest pharmaceutical employers in Berkshire.

Antibody discovery platform identifying therapeutics from resilient individuals

Alchemab Therapeutics is a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company developing antibody therapeutics for neurodegenerative diseases, oncology, and immunology. Its platform combines deep B cell sequencing and machine learning to identify naturally protective antibodies from individuals resilient to specific diseases. The company's lead programme for amyotrophic lateral sclerosis entered Phase 1 trials following a licensing agreement with Eli Lilly. Alchemab operates from London with research laboratories in Cambridge.

Clinical-stage antibody-drug conjugate developer for cancer

Iksuda Therapeutics is a clinical-stage biotechnology company developing antibody-drug conjugates for difficult-to-treat solid and haematological cancers. Its ADC platform combines proprietary stable bioconjugation chemistry with tumour-selective payload activation to improve therapeutic index. The company's lead candidate, IKS014, is a HER2-targeting ADC in Phase 1 clinical trials. Iksuda also develops novel payload classes including its first-in-class protein alkylating agents. The company operates from Newcastle Helix with additional facilities in the United States.