10 innovative start-up companies working at the interface of biomedical and data science are to receive personalised mentoring and coaching as part of the KQ Labs accelerator programme, run by the Francis Crick Institute and funded by the medical research charity LifeArc in partnership with Cancer Research UK and UK SPINE.
The new cohort, consisting of companies looking to tackle health challenges and diseases including diabetes, cancer and multiple sclerosis, will also benefit from funding in the form of a convertible loan, and introductions to key investors and major corporates.
The programme is aimed at accelerating early-stage start-ups and providing training to create future leaders. A key ambition is to catalyse development of a data-driven health ecosystem in the UK, validating new ideas and putting exciting companies on the path to receive further investment.
Since September 2018, KQ Labs has supported over thirty companies with the help of many fantastic partners and supporters.
Barbara Domayne-Hayman, Entrepreneur in Residence at the Crick and lead for the KQ Labs accelerator, said: “The strength of our programme is in our growing network, and these new companies will join our supportive family of alumni, mentors and investors. I’m incredibly excited to see companies from across the country focusing on such a diverse range of health challenges participating in our programme this year.
“By highlighting and nurturing the innovation occurring at the health-data interface, we can reinforce the UK's position as a major force in artificial intelligence, health and life sciences, and encourage crucial investment in companies that have the potential to change the face of future healthcare.”
The KQ labs accelerator is a five-month programme consisting of weekly workshops and mentoring sessions led by hand-picked experts ranging from corporate partners, investors, to subject matter experts. The programme is open to early-stage start-ups using data as a core part of their business model to improve human health.
The programme is supported by LifeArc, and this year KQ Labs also has two new strategic partnerships. Cancer Research UK and UK SPINE are each funding a dedicated place focused on cancer and healthy-ageing.
Andrew Farquharson, who leads the technology transfer team at LifeArc said: “We are delighted to be supporting the KQ Labs accelerator for a second year and to be working with the Crick to build a world-class cluster of data-driven health start-ups in the UK.”
He continues: “KQ Labs is a great example of how LifeArc strategically combines translational funding and translational advice to accelerate early innovations towards the clinic. Working with the Crick, we can support these promising data-driven health companies to create solutions to help more patients faster.”
The latest KQ Labs cohort includes the following innovative early-stage data-driven health start-ups:
Concinnity Genetics
Concinnity Genetics is improving the safety and efficacy of gene therapies using AI.
Diabetech
Diabetech is the next generation digital product for behaviour change in chronic health conditions such as diabetes. We offer behavioural rewards and behavioural coaching to increase adherence rates and help diabetics better manage their condition.
Eczemadoc
Eczemadoc is a full-stack solution using patient reported data, machine learning and personalised coaching to predict and prevent eczema flare ups.
Enedra
Checkmating cancer’s best moves by creating a new generation of drugs that target tumour evolution and heterogeneity using synthetic lethality and AI.
Exogene
Exogene enables the discovery of T-cell receptor (TCR)-based cell therapies to cure advanced solid cancers, by combining AI and high throughput TCR screening in the lab.
LatchAid
LatchAid is an award-winning Femtech start-up using cutting-edge 3D interactive technology and Artificial Intelligence to support women through breastfeeding and motherhood journey 24/7.
Lindus Health
Our mission is to accelerate research for the next generation of healthcare companies. We're building the world’s first full stack clinical trial platform, to conduct faster, safer clinical trials, improving health outcomes for everyone.
MultiplAI Health
MultiplAI is developing universal genomic screening for cardiovascular diseases using RNA sequencing and machine learning. Bringing liquid biopsy to cardiovascular disease diagnosis enables a breakthrough in access to preventative care and precise prognosis for anyone on the planet.
NeuroVirt
Medtech company that utilises Virtual Reality (VR) and in-house hardware to gamify rehabilitation for post-stroke patients and quantify measurements of hand impairment and improvement for doctors.
Queen Square Analytics
Bringing advanced image analysis technology to the treatment of neurological diseases (starting with Multiple Sclerosis).
Now a well-established accelerator programme, KQ Labs has seen alumni companies secure additional investment, grow in size and scope, and progress their innovative ideas. Most recently, Glamorous AI, a company that was part of the third KQ Labs cohort, has been acquired by X-Chem, the US based global leader in DNA-encoded library (DEL) driven discovery solutions. Glamorous AI is a leader in artificial intelligence (AI) solutions for drug discovery.
The programme will culminate in a demo day in early March 2022, when the companies will pitch their innovations to an audience of investors and corporates. Applications for the next programme will open in Spring 2022.
