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Research translation and drug development

We partner with researchers, the life sciences industry, investors, research institutions and other funders to accelerate the discovery and development of new treatments, tools and diagnostics.

By working with us, you can access our full support along the translational pathway, including our therapeutic discovery and clinical infrastructure and expertise in drug and technology development.

Our network

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Cancer Research Horizons

Cancer Research Horizons is our translational arm. It works closely with researchers, industry partners and investors to translate cutting-edge innovations into new tools, treatments and diagnostics for people affected by cancer.

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Centre for Drug Development

Our Centre for Drug Development partners with biotechs, pharmaceutical companies and academics worldwide to deliver early-phase clinical trials, accelerating the next generation of cancer treatments to patients.

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Experimental cancer medicines centres

Our network of adult and paediatric experimental cancer medicine centres across the UK provides a unique service for early phase trials. It supports trials from industry and other funders, in addition to treatments we develop and optimise ourselves.

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C-Further: Children’s Cancer Therapeutics Consortium

C-Further is an international consortium started by Cancer Research Horizons and LifeArc. It’s bringing together researchers, clinicians, drug discovery and development scientists, industry partners, and investors with a shared commitment to creating new cancer therapeutics for children and young people.

Translational funding and support

We offer dedicated funding and support to accelerate the translation of research into novel cancer therapeutics and technologies.

Entrepreneurial training

Cancer Research Horizons offers entrepreneurial training programmes for researchers looking to turn their innovations into real-world impact. These programmes can show you how to build a business, connect you to a network of like-minded people and help you find the right advice and support when you need it.

Explore entrepreneurial training opportunities

Drug Development Project

The Drug Development Project, managed by our Centre for Drug Development, can support you with the clinical development of promising new cancer treatments.

Learn about the Drug Development Project

Therapeutic Catalysts

Our Therapeutic Catalyst and Childhood Cancer Therapeutic Catalyst awards offer funding and support if you have a novel insight into cancer biology that can be targeted therapeutically to treat cancer.

Learn about the Therapeutic Catalyst

Learn about the Childhood Cancer Therapeutic Catalyst

Data Catalyst

The Data Catalyst, offered through Cancer Research Horizons, can support you with funding for cleaning, annotation, curation, linking or storage of data that has significant commercial potential.

Learn about the Data Catalyst

Seed Fund

Cancer Research Horizons’ Seed Fund aims to bridge the gap between cutting-edge science and patient impact. It can support you with investment if you have an early-stage opportunity that holds promise for real innovation, worldwide, from within and beyond the Cancer Research UK network.

Learn about the Seed Fund

C-Further collaborative projects for paediatric oncology

C-Further can support you if you have a therapeutic project related to childhood cancers, with a well-validated target or existing therapeutic modality. Projects are run collaboratively, leveraging the consortium’s drug discovery expertise and resources to advance projects closer to patients.

Learn how to access support through the consortium

Therapeutic Innovation

Our Therapeutic Innovation team at Cancer Research Horizons work with researchers and industry to identify and advance novel approaches with the potential to deliver the next generation of cancer medicines. The team can support you with expertise across the full early-stage pipeline—from target identification to lead optimisation and candidate selection for preclinical and regulatory development.

Learn how you can work with Therapeutic Innovation

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