Advances in biomedical understanding, technology, and machine learning have brought us to the threshold of a golden age of scientific discovery. However, far too many potential breakthroughs are lost in the funding gap between academic research and a start-up becoming ready for commercial investment.
The Cancer Research Horizons Seed Fund was launched in June 2022 to tackle this challenge, with a £15m commitment from us. Managed by the Company’s Ventures team, the Seed Fund translates cutting-edge innovations into patient impact through funding, business building support and expert advice.
Early members of the club include:
* Darren Redmayne, former CEO of Cardano and a Senior Volunteer at Cancer Research UK – a founding member
* Richard Anthony, CEO of Evercore Private Funds
* Dale Lattanzio, Managing Partner at DRC Savills
* Robert Easton, former partner at Carlyle, now an advisor at Melior Equity Partners
* Katherine Priestley, Founder and Managing Director of Park Vale Capital
* Alison Howe, former Founder and Managing Director, Strategic Consultants International
* Christiian Marriott, former Head of Investor Relations at Equistone Partners.
There are currently 13 Cancer Impact Club members in total, and Cancer Research Horizons aims reach its target of 50 members by October 2025.
> The launch of the Cancer Impact Club marks a significant step forward in our mission to bridge the funding gap that too often stalls early-stage breakthroughs. By uniting visionary philanthropists, entrepreneurs, and business leaders, the Club will amplify the impact of our Seed Fund, ensuring that high-potential cancer ventures have the resources and expertise needed to transform cancer treatment.
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> Together, we can accelerate the journey from scientific discovery to life-saving solutions, changing the future for those affected by cancer.
\- Iain Foulkes, CEO of Cancer Research Horizons and Executive Director of Research & Innovation, Cancer Research UK
Together with a recent [£10 million donation from Garfield Weston Foundation](https://www.cancerresearchhorizons.com/news-and-events/our-news/garfield-weston-foundation-donates-ps10m-our-cancer-impact-booster), the launch of the Cancer Impact Club brings Cancer Research Horizons closer to its £30 million target for the Seed Fund.
Darren Redmayne, a senior volunteer for Cancer Research UK, who was key to developing the Cancer Impact Club proposal, said:
> Joining the Cancer Impact Club is an exciting opportunity to support turning scientific breakthroughs into tests, treatments and devices that will benefit patients. By collaborating with a like-minded community of entrepreneurial individuals and leveraging our collective expertise, we can help bring transformative ideas to life.
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> If the ground-breaking ventures the Seed Fund backs succeed, they will deliver treatments that don't currently exist to cancer patients, and that could have a game-changing impact on countless lives.