Stand Up To Cancer Day: the UCLB projects breaking ground in oncology

This Stand Up To Cancer Day (12th September), we highlight the latest groundbreaking work in oncology by UCLB’s spinouts, licences and partnerships.  

From pioneering gene therapies to diagnostic innovations, UCLB technologies are bringing hope to the millions impacted by cancer. Here are just a few of the projects making recent progress: 

Autolus Therapeutics’ pioneering gene therapy

Autolus continues to lead the way in CAR-T cell therapy. Its flagship product, AUCATZYL (obecabtagene autoleucel), received FDA approval in November 2024 and European Commission authorisation in July 2025 for treating adults with relapsed or refractory B-cell precursor acute lymphoblastic leukaemia (r/r B-ALL). The pivotal FELIX trial showed a 76.6% complete response rate, with median event-free survival of 11.9 months.  

Autolus, founded by Dr. Martin Pule from the UCL Cancer Institute, has raised over $1bn, built a 450-person manufacturing facility in Stevenage, and recently secured a $250m investment from BioNTech. 

Find out more.

Novalgen makes encouraging progress

This clinical-stage immuno-oncology company is developing therapies that empower the immune system to fight cancer. Its NVG-111-101 Phase I trial showed positive responses in 58% of patients with relapsed refractory chronic lymphocytic leukaemia (CLL) and mantle cell lymphoma (MCL), with responses durable to 24 months. 

In October 2024, meanwhile, it was announced that Cancer Research UK, one of the world’s largest funders of cancer research, and NovalGen have signed an agreement to bring NovalGen’s next-generation T-cell engager, NVG-222, into a first-in-human clinical trial. 

Novalgen was founded by Professor Amit Nathwani and his research group at UCL. 

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Enacuity targets better prevention

Enacuity is a precision diagnostics spinout looking to transform laparoscopic surgeries by enhancing real-time imaging, helping surgeons more accurately identify functional details in the body that are typically invisible to the human eye.  

Their platform has shown >90% sensitivity in identifying early-stage pancreatic and ovarian cancers in pilot studies. Enacuity is currently preparing for a multi-centre validation trial in collaboration with NHS partners. 

EnAcuity was recently awarded a prestigious Innovate UK Smart Grant worth £300,840. This funding will support the development of the first-ever software-only surgical hyperspectral imaging solution in the UK.  

Enacuity was co-founded by Dr. Maria Leiloglou, Professor Danail Stoyanov from UCL’s Wellcome / EPSRC Centre for Interventional and Surgical Sciences (WEISS), and Professor Daniel Elson from Imperial College London. 

Find out more.

Veracyte offers prostate hope

Gene expression tests look set to revolutionise cancer treatment by identifying patients who will benefit from various therapies.  

A clinical trial conducted by UCL has shown, for the first time, how a commercially available gene expression test can accurately predict which patients with prostate cancer that has spread will benefit from chemotherapy with docetaxel. This will spare some patients the unpleasant side effects if the treatment is unlikely to help them. 

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Endomag sets the stage for further success 

Endomag has revolutionised breast cancer staging. Founded on technology developed by Professor Quentin Pankhurst, Endomag’s magnetic nanoparticle system replaces radioactive tracers, enabling safer and more accessible procedures. The technology has benefitted over 550,000 women globally and was recently acquired by US diagnostics firm Hologic for $310m. 

 Find out more.

Odin Vision: AI assistance  

AI-driven diagnostics are also gaining traction, with Odin Vision leading the charge. Spun out from UCL’s Wellcome/EPSRC Centre for Interventional Surgical Sciences and the Department of Computer Science, Odin Vision developed CADDIE, an AI-powered tool that assists clinicians in detecting and characterising polyps during endoscopy. This technology is instrumental in identifying early-stage colorectal cancer, enabling timely and effective treatment 

Find out more.

UCLB’s impact

Over the last five years, UCL spinouts have collectively attracted over £2.75bn in external investment. These ventures not only drive economic growth but also advance scientific knowledge and improve patient care. With new projects like Veracyte joining the fold, and longstanding spinouts including Autolus making bold moves, we can expect even more exciting cancer breakthroughs from our spinouts over the coming years.