2 July 2026
The Francis Crick Institute and Medicines Discovery Catapult (MDC) have today opened applications for the ninth cohort of KQ Labs, a national accelerator for data-driven health start-ups.
Delivered by the Francis Crick Institute, with ongoing support from MDC and Cancer Research Horizons, KQ Labs is an annual five-month programme for early-stage companies building science-backed, scalable solutions in AI-driven drug discovery, digital health, and precision medicine.
Up to ten high-potential companies will receive weekly workshops, expert mentoring, office hours with leading pharmaceutical companies and investment funds, alongside support with fundraising strategy, helping them de-risk their ideas and build investment-ready businesses.
Since launching in 2018, the first 70 startups supported by the KQ Labs core programme have collectively raised over £230 million in investment. In 2025, MDC joined as a strategic partner, bringing national reach and expert translational support to validate ideas and strengthen commercial readiness, supporting the eighth cohort of ten companies.
The strength of this cohort was on display at the KQ Labs Demo Day on Tuesday 30th June 2026, where innovations were presented to a diverse audience of investors, industry and ecosystem leaders. With two companies securing sponsorship from Cancer Research Horizons and three closing funding rounds during the programme, KQ Labs continues to demonstrate its role as a critical launchpad for UK data-driven health innovation.
Oli Rayner, CEO and Co-Founder of Gramics Bio and member of the KQ Labs eighth cohort, said:
“KQ Labs occupies a unique place in a growing TechBio ecosystem in the UK, and being part of the programme unlocked new parts of that ecosystem for us when it mattered. The workshops, talks and panels pulled in an impressive cast of leading experts and helped us develop as a team and as a company. The mentoring element gave us access to a number of exited biotech entrepreneurs whose street smarts and insights were highly relevant to the business we’re building and the stage we’re at. Some turned into valuable ongoing relationships, and one even went on to join our board. If you’re building a company at the intersection of tech and bio, I can’t recommend KQ Labs highly enough.”
Jo Mills, Head of Entrepreneurship and KQ Labs, the Francis Crick Institute, said:
“Over 8 years, KQ Labs has nurtured some of the most exciting data-driven health founders and technologies, spanning tools and platforms for drug discovery and development, precision medicine, and digital health. Ongoing support from Medicines Discovery Catapult and Cancer Research Horizons will enable us to continue this mission and continue to evolve our curated ecosystem of mentors and investors, who together provide the inspiration, expertise and connections for our portfolio of early-stage ventures to succeed.”
Dr Nicola Heron, Chief Strategy Officer, Medicines Discovery Catapult, said:
“The UK has world-class talent exploring the application of advanced computational techniques to treat the most challenging diseases. KQ Labs exists to give that talent the support, networks, and commercial rigour needed to realise their potential. A year into our partnership with the Crick, we have seen first-hand what this programme unlocks for early-stage companies, and our team at MDC is energised to support the next cohort of inspiring innovators in pushing the boundaries of possibility.”
Alessia Errico, Associate Director, Search and Evaluation and Entrepreneurial Programmes Lead, Cancer Research Horizons, said:
“We’re proud to continue to work with KQ Labs to support pioneering data-driven innovators to tackle some of the biggest challenges in oncology. Through unlocking access to world-class expertise, networks and assets, founders turn transformative ideas into real impact for people affected by cancer.”
The deadline for applications to the ninth cohort is midnight on Wednesday, 12th August. For further information and to apply, please visit https://www.crick.ac.uk/research/applying-our-research/entrepreneurship/kq-labs/applying-to-kq-labs
New appointments support MDC’s mission to turn drug discovery into commercial breakthroughs.
Dr Emma Jones, a Lead Scientist in in vitro Neurobiology at Medicines Discovery Catapult (MDC), has contributed to a new children’s book celebrating the diversity of careers in science.
Investment and expert support will help accelerate the development of new treatments for a range of autoimmune, inflammatory, and age-related diseases.
