Latest UK Life Sciences News

Nuformix has reported positive preclinical results for NXP002, its inhaled candidate for idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis and progressive pulmonary fibrosis. The study showed dose-dependent lung exposure after nebulisation with relatively limited systemic exposure, alongside attenuation of a key fibrosis biomarker in vivo, supporting planned additional dose-range-finding work.

Scancell has received UK clinical trial authorisation from the MHRA for its registrational Phase III trial of iSCIB1+ in advanced melanoma, following FDA clearance in January. The trial will enrol 550 stage III/IV melanoma patients across around 90 sites in the US, EU, UK, Canada and Australia, testing iSCIB1+ alongside ipilimumab and nivolumab against placebo plus the same combination, with progression-free survival as the primary endpoint and initial data expected in H2 2028.

Tagomics has launched LiquiPath, a cell-free DNA liquid biopsy platform for non-invasive, multi-organ drug safety monitoring across preclinical and clinical development. The platform traces circulating DNA back to its tissue of origin to flag treatment-related toxicity earlier than conventional biomarkers, and is already in development with pharma partners including AstraZeneca, with an early access programme now open to further partners.

Arecor Therapeutics has published full results from its AT278-104 trial in the peer-reviewed journal Diabetes, Obesity & Metabolism, the first complete peer-reviewed data set for its ultra-concentrated (500U/mL) insulin aspart. AT278 was absorbed faster than both standard-strength insulin aspart and U500 human regular insulin, and crucially kept its rapid onset regardless of patient BMI, addressing a weakness that has limited earlier concentrated insulins and supporting Arecor's push to pair AT278 with automated insulin delivery systems.

SynGenSys has launched CHO.SET 2.0, an expanded library of synthetic promoters for improving protein production in CHO cells used in biomanufacturing. New data show selected vectors achieving over 4x higher antibody productivity and titres exceeding 2g/L in fed-batch flask models, with the library set to be showcased at BioProcess International in Boston this September.

bit.bio has launched ioScreen, a CRISPR screening platform that combines industrial-scale gene editing with its ioCells human iPSC-derived cell models, aimed at accelerating human cell-based drug discovery. Alongside the launch, the company appointed Sejla Salic-Hainzl as its first Chief Technology Officer, promoting her from nearly six years leading functional genomics R&D at bit.bio Discovery.

MeiraGTx reported second-quarter 2026 results showing net income of $160.7 million on revenue of $321.4 million, a sharp reversal from a $38.8 million loss a year earlier, driven by service and related-party income from its Eli Lilly manufacturing contract and previously deferred Janssen and Hologen collaboration revenue. The company also received FDA Breakthrough Therapy Designation for its AAV2-hAQP1 gene therapy targeting radiation-induced xerostomia, and ended the quarter with $145.4 million in cash, up from $34.4 million a year earlier.

ValiRx's majority-owned subsidiary Cytolytix has received notice that the European Patent Office intends to grant a second patent covering its polyleucine-based anti-cancer peptides, licensed from King's College London. It follows the May 2026 grant of Cytolytix's first European patent for the nanoparticle delivery formulation, giving the platform two granted patents to support ongoing licensing and partnership talks.

Genedrive has completed neonatal intensive care unit patient recruitment for its PALOH-UK programme, with nearly 6,000 babies across 14 NICUs tested using the Genedrive MT-RNR1 ID Kit. Clinical cohort analysis is underway, with publication expected around October 2026; the kit has now moved from NICE's Early Value Assessment pathway to full technology appraisal, with NHS England targeting a tender notice by January 2027 and go-live by July 2027, subject to NICE guidance.

Broken String Biosciences has launched BaseMap ABE, extending its INDUCE-seq platform to characterise off-target editing from adenine base editing. The tool generates genome-wide off-target data directly from biologically relevant cells rather than relying on prediction-based approaches, and is available now through an Early Access Programme for researchers developing genome editing therapies.

A Phase 1 trial of Stablepharma's fridge-free tetanus-diphtheria vaccine, SPVX02, found it well tolerated with no vaccine-related serious adverse events. All participants achieved protective antibody levels by 28 days, comparable to licensed vaccines. The vaccine remained stable at up to 30°C for at least two years. Results were published in The Lancet's eClinicalMedicine, and a Phase 2b trial has since launched.

Aravax has received FDA Fast Track designation for PVX108, its peptide immunotherapy for peanut allergy. The designation allows more frequent FDA engagement and potential eligibility for Accelerated Approval and Rolling Review as the drug progresses toward Phase 3.

A peer-reviewed study by researchers at Trinity College Dublin and St James's Hospital has shown CelLBxHealth's Parsortix platform can detect antibody-drug conjugate targets, including TROP-2 and FRα, on circulating tumour cells from triple-negative breast cancer and ovarian cancer patients. The platform detected these targets even on tumour cells with low EpCAM expression, which many conventional capture methods miss, supporting its use in monitoring the $17bn global ADC drug market.

Coiled Therapeutics has dosed the first patient with a new lipid-based softgel formulation of AO-252, its TACC3 inhibitor for advanced solid tumours, with no treatment-related adverse safety findings observed. The reformulation is designed to improve drug absorption ahead of planned dose-expansion cohorts in ovarian and prostate cancer, targeting up to 30 patients by Q4 2026.

Iksuda Therapeutics has received FDA IND clearance for IKS04, a CA242-directed antibody-drug conjugate, enabling a Phase 1 trial in gastrointestinal cancers including colorectal, gastric, pancreatic and biliary tract tumours. It is the third of Iksuda's ADC programmes to enter the clinic, alongside HER2-directed IKS014, and uses the company's glucuronide-triggered pro-drug technology for tumour-selective payload release.

Hemogenyx Pharmaceuticals signed a letter of intent with Vilnius University Hospital Santaros Klinikos to trial and manufacture its HG-CT-1 CAR-T therapy for FLT3-positive leukaemia in Lithuania.

Cambridge Cognition grew H1 2026 revenue 16% to £5.0m and fully repaid its borrowings, ending the period net cash positive. A £2.5m equity placing completed in July will fund CE marking in Europe and FDA 510(k) clearance in the US, paediatric product development, and speech recognition enhancements to its Winterlight platform.

Verdiva Bio has dosed the first patient in a Phase 1 study of VRB-103, a once-weekly oral amylin receptor-selective peptide analog for obesity, its second oral peptide candidate to enter the clinic. The study will evaluate VRB-103 alone and in combination with lead candidate VRB-101, an oral GLP-1 analog, with initial data expected by the end of 2026.

Oxford BioDynamics has signed its first commercial agreement for EpiSwitch Orion, its cloud-based 3D genomics platform, marking the first time a third party has paid for access to it. The agreement forms part of OPTIMISE, a UK Government-funded translational research programme in psoriatic arthritis involving the University of Oxford, University of Glasgow, King's College London and Guy's and St Thomas' NHS Foundation Trust, applying machine learning to roughly 240 whole-genome sequenced patient samples to predict response to biologic therapies.

EKF Diagnostics completed a buyback of 100,000 ordinary shares for cancellation, part of its ongoing capital management programme.

Croda reported 4.6% organic sales growth to £880.5m in H1 2026, with growth accelerating to 8.8% in the second quarter after a slower first quarter, led by Consumer Care. Adjusted operating profit rose 6.7% organically to £155.8m and the company maintained its full-year 2026 guidance, with shares rising over 3% on the update.

Abingdon Health expects FY26 revenue up 31% to £11.3m, driven by a strong second half that was 63% ahead of H1 on higher contract development and R&D income. The company reached adjusted EBITDA profitability in H2 and ended the year with £2.9m cash, with the board citing previously secured CDMO contracts as the foundation for further growth in FY27.

Shield Therapeutics reported H1 2026 revenue up 41% to $30.4m, boosted by a $7.9m development milestone from Chinese partner ASK Pharm, remaining profitable for the period. Shares fell over 20% as investors weighed a New York Medicaid prior-authorisation change that pressured ACCRUFeR pricing, prompting a pivot toward commercial insurance channels that grew 27% in H1; the company also appointed Michael Jensen as Chief Financial Officer, effective 1 September 2026.

Diaceutics reported H1 2026 revenue up 22% to £17.5m, with annual recurring revenue up 75%, driven by higher net revenue retention and an expanding pharma and biotech customer base across 99 therapeutic brands. A £43.7m order book, including £15.7m already contracted for H2, gives the company 91% visibility on meeting full-year 2026 revenue targets.