Discovery Park welcomes 11 oncology startups on business growth programme

Eleven early-stage companies working in oncology have embarked on a seven-week development programme at Discovery Park innovation campus in Sandwich, Kent.

The Discovery Spark programme is designed to provide startups with skills and tools to lay healthy foundations in their businesses, refine their commercial strategies and prepare for investors.

Participants will gain insights from industry experts and successful founder ambassadors and exchange experiences with their fellow founders.

One Discovery Spark candidate will also secure a spot in the prestigious Cancer Research UK-funded Cancer Tech Accelerator Bootcamp, as well as free lab space at Discovery Park along with a business support and mentoring package worth over £50,000.

Making up the latest cohort are AssureDrop, Cancer IVD, DeepInfinity, ExoNostic, Nexokine Therapeutics, NYSCHEY, PNAS Therapeutics, Protalea Bio, Qinara, Rokalin Pharmaceuticals and Roxy Health.

Renos Savva, who leads the Discovery Spark programme, said:“It’s a great privilege to work with such enthusiastic and talented individuals working on innovative technologies and health platforms.

“The 11 businesses have been selected from a highly competitive pool of oncology innovators, and it’s exciting to think what these businesses can achieve with the right support and infrastructure.

“At Discovery Park, we’re building a thriving oncology innovation community, providing tailored business support, expert mentorship and world-class facilities.

“We have several cancer tech businesses growing on site already, and it’s fantastic to bolster that ecosystem further through our latest Spark programme.”

This year’s programme is backed by Capital Enterprise Network, Cancer Tech Accelerator, NHS Kent and Medway Cancer Alliance, and the University of Kent.

Lotus Qi, chief operating officer at Capital Enterprise Network, added:“Discovery Spark is an excellent programme and invaluable resource for early-stage companies.

“It’s great to shine a spotlight on innovators within oncology, and we’re proud to support this cohort throughout the seven weeks and offer one candidate a place in the cancer tech accelerator at the end of the programme.

“The accelerator is incredibly close to my heart – it connects the wider UK medtech landscape and supports startups in the shared ambition to beat cancer and improve lives.”