UCL spinouts shine in UKRI’s landmark Spinout Register

UCL has been prominently featured in the UK’s first official Spinout Register, ranking third, underscoring UCLB’s efforts. 

Published by the Higher Education Statistics Agency (HESA) with support from Research England and the Policy Evidence Unit for University Commercialisation and Innovation at the University of Cambridge, the register, a world-first in cataloguing university spinout companies, UCL’s role as a powerhouse of entrepreneurial innovation, showcasing its contributions to transforming cutting-edge research into real-world solutions. 

The UK Spinout Register, launched as part of Research England’s national knowledge exchange metrics programme, provides a comprehensive baseline of all spinout companies produced by UK universities, offering insights into their growth, sectors, and regional impact.  

 

UCLB’s spinout success by numbers 

• 72 active spinouts: UCLB currently supports 72 active spinout companies, spanning diverse fields such as gene therapies, artificial intelligence, carbon reduction, and wireless monitoring. 

• £3bn in investment: Over the past five years, UCL spinouts have attracted nearly £3bn in investment, fuelling breakthroughs in healthcare, technology, and sustainability. 

• 2,200+ jobs created: These ventures have generated over 2,200 new jobs, driving economic growth and societal impact. 

• 5 Nasdaq IPOs: Since 2018, five UCL spinouts, Orchard Therapeutics, Autolus, Freeline Therapeutics (now Spur Therapeutics), Achilles Therapeutics, and MeiraGTx, have made initial public offerings on Nasdaq, collectively raising over £2bn. 

• 22 Therapeutics in trials: UCL spinouts are advancing 22 therapeutics in clinical trials, with five already approved for patients, including a groundbreaking one-shot gene therapy for haemophilia. 

• Innovation: London’s universities, including UCL, produce a spinout for every £35.5m invested in research and development, outperforming global hubs like Boston (£60.42 million), Los Angeles (£42.6 million), and New York (£54.5 million). 

 

Leading the way in innovation 

Dr. Anne Lane, CEO of UCLB, welcomed the news: “Our spinouts are transforming lives and tackling global challenges, from life-saving gene therapies to sustainable technologies. Being part of the UKRI Spinout Register not only celebrates our achievements but also provides a robust evidence base to further strengthen the UK’s innovation ecosystem. We’re proud to be part of the charge in turning world-class research into real-world impact.” 

Professor Dame Jessica Corner, Executive Chair of Research England, added: “The Spin-out Register is a landmark achievement for our whole sector, including for Research England in our support of its development by Higher Education Statistics Agency and with the Policy Evidence Unit for University Commercialisation and Innovation. 

“The Register gives us the evidence base we need in order to inform national discussion, shape effective policy, and support a stronger, more connected innovation ecosystem.” 

The publication of the Register marks a major milestone in the delivery of the recommendations of the 2023 Independent Review. Beyond the review, the Register reflects Research England’s commitment to building better, more robust data to evidence the vital role of universities and their spinouts in driving innovation, and towards the Government mission of kickstarting economic growth. 

 

UCL’s spinout success 

UCLB’s spinouts are solving some of society’s most pressing problems. Autolus, a spinout from the UCL Cancer Institute, has raised $921.6m and is pioneering immunotherapy treatments for leukaemias and lymphomas.  

Senceive, another UCLB success, employs 80 people across 10 countries and uses wireless monitoring systems to cut infrastructure maintenance costs by up to 80%. Endomag is revolutionising breast cancer surgery, with its technologies benefiting 500,000 patients in over 1,350 hospitals worldwide.  

Meanwhile, TrimTots is tackling childhood obesity with the only evidence-based programme proven effective for preschool children. 

 

Further information: 

World-leading register of UK university spin-outs published – UKRI