London, UK, 18 August 2026 -- Cancer Research Horizons, the innovation engine of Cancer Research UK, today announced the launch of the Cancer Research Horizons Therapeutic Accelerator, a four-month programme combining the skills, networks and expertise to accelerate promising oncology therapeutics towards people affected by cancer. Backed by Cancer Research UK and Cancer Research Horizons' world-leading network, participants will benefit from access to drug development infrastructure, clinical networks, datasets, patient insights, commercialisation expertise and investor relationships. Applications are now open and the first cohort will begin in early 2027.
The programme is the first of its kind led independently by Cancer Research Horizons, created to forge the next generation of oncology founders and accelerate the development of innovative oncology therapeutics. It builds on Cancer Research Horizons’ track record of supporting more than 95 start-ups and helping translate world-class cancer research into treatments, diagnostics and technologies that benefit patients.
Each team will be paired with an anchor mentor throughout the programme, matched to their indication and stage of development. Built around the founder as much as the science, the programme combines specialist oncology knowledge with founder development, strengthening the scientific, leadership and commercial expertise that bring new oncology therapeutics closer to patients. The programme will also offer £40k non-dilutive funding per team, alongside the opportunity to pitch for one of two £250k awards.
Associate Director of Search and Evaluation at Cancer Research Horizons, Dr Alessia Errico, said:
“The gap between promising cancer science and a therapeutic that reaches patients is as much about the founder as it is about the science. Our accelerator addresses that gap directly — pairing deep oncology work in cancer biology, indication strategy and clinical development with the leadership to carry it forward."
Learn more here.
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Notes to Editor
Dr Alessia Errico and other Cancer Research Horizons/Cancer Research UK spokespeople are available for interview. For media enquiries, please contact the Cancer Research UK press office at [email protected] or 020 3469 8300 and out of hours, on 020 3469 8301.
About Cancer Research Horizons
Cancer Research Horizons is the innovation engine of Cancer Research UK – the world's largest charitable funder of cancer research. It brings together world-leading minds, bold ideas and the right partners to bridge the gap between academic research and taking drugs to market. It focuses on the tougher, more profound ideas that can lead to true innovation, translating them into effective treatments and diagnostics for cancer patients.
To date, it has played an instrumental role in forming over 95 start-ups. It has helped bring 14 cancer drugs to market, born out of Cancer Research UK's pioneering research. Through these drugs, it has enabled in excess of 28 million courses of treatment for cancer patients across the world.
With access to Cancer Research UK's network of 4,000 exceptional researchers, and £400m of annual research spend, it is a powerful partner in the fight to conquer cancer. By uniting its commercial partnerships and therapeutic innovation capabilities, Cancer Research Horizons is uniquely placed to support translational funding, entrepreneurial development, data licensing and collaboration, spin-out creation, and offer a full spectrum of drug discovery and clinical capabilities.
Every penny it makes goes back into funding the next bold steps, to help bring forward the day when all cancers are conquered.
For more information and to get in touch with the team, visit cancerresearchhorizons.com.
About Cancer Research UK
- Cancer Research UK is the world’s leading cancer charity dedicated to saving lives through research, influence and information.
- Cancer Research UK’s pioneering work into the prevention, diagnosis and treatment of cancer has helped save millions of lives.
- Cancer Research UK has been at the heart of the progress that has already seen survival in the UK double in the last 50 years.
- Cancer Research UK supports research into the prevention and treatment of cancer through the work of over 4,000 scientists, doctors and nurses.
- Together with its partners and supporters, Cancer Research UK is working towards a world where people can live longer, better lives, free from the fear of cancer.
For further information about Cancer Research UK's work or to find out how to support the charity, please call 0300 123 1022 or visit www.cancerresearchuk.org. Follow us on X and Facebook