Quarter 1 of 2025 got off to a flying start. We’re proud to see many of our tenants expanding their footprint at Discovery Park, reflecting their success and growth, including Inhalytic, an analytical chemistry testing consultancy specialising in the analysis of Orally Inhaled and Nasal Drug Products (OINDPs) – their third expansion in just four years.
We’re also pleased to welcome new companies, such as Elaniti, which is leveraging advancements in machine learning and DNA sequencing to provide actionable insights into soil biology for farmers and agronomists.
On 27 February, we hosted our second Joint Innovation Showcase event in partnership with the University of Kent, which brought together over 150 academics, researchers, clinicians and businesses to share ideas, spark collaboration and inspire new opportunities in science and innovation. The event was a resounding success, inspiring many attendees to start new businesses and form new partnerships,
Supporting oncology innovation through Discovery Spark
Last month, we launched our latest Discovery Spark growth programme, which supports the latest innovations in oncology. Cancer is a pressing health challenge, with more than 3 million people currently living with cancer in the UK – a number projected to rise to 3.5 million by the end of 2025 and 5.3 million by 2040, according to Macmillan Cancer Support. Additionally, around 393,000 people are diagnosed with cancer annually in the UK, equating to a new diagnosis every 90 seconds.
We believe in supporting dynamic companies that are making a difference in the lives of people affected by cancer. Through Discovery Spark, we aim to turn groundbreaking research into thriving businesses capable of securing much-needed funding to further their research and develop treatments to improve lives.
This programme empowers oncology innovators to bridge the gap between science and business and accelerates their support with support from partners such as Capital Enterprise Network, the Cancer Tech Accelerator, NHS Kent and Medway Cancer Alliance and the University of Kent.
Participants are gaining access to expert mentorship, practical entrepreneurial skills and the opportunity to pitch to Cancer Research Horizons and investors in the sector. The programme, which concludes on 20 March, also enables companies to compete for free lab space at Discovery Park, a spot on the Cancer Tech Accelerator Bootcamp and a business support package worth over £50k to help accelerate their growth further.
Celebrating International Women’s Day
We were proud to celebrate International Women’s Day with a special event and our second Inspirational Women’s Awards. The ‘Future is Female: Driving Change & Celebrating Success’ event, which took place on 7 March, highlighted advancements being made in the women’s health and femtech sectors.
This is a field where change is urgently needed. Statistics reveal the depth of this issue. Over 70% of new drugs lack adequate testing for women and only 30% of clinical trials ensure balanced female representation. This oversight leads to treatments that fail to address women’s needs effectively and exposes them to higher risks.
The event featured keynote speakers and panel discussions with inspiring women including Miriam Kenrick, co-founder of Women in Pharma; Dr Lisa Taylor, CEO of Particology; Dr Aileen McGettrick, CSO of Prolight Diagnostics; and Jane Ollis, founder of Mindspire, who are breaking barriers and driving change in their fields.
As part of the event, we hosted the Inspirational Women’s Awards ceremony, celebrating outstanding achievements in Leadership Excellence, Excellence in Innovation & Impact and the Rising Star category. We received a wealth of nominations, all of whom would have been worthy winners. However, the awards were presented to
- ‘Excellence in Leadership’ – Dr Bridget Ng’andu (University of Kent)
- ‘Excellence in Innovation & Impact’ – Dr Roghaiyeh Safari (RS & RS Scientific)
- ‘Rising Star’ – Megan Leckie (Tuckers Solicitors).
The work of these three winners in driving change in social work, oncology and law, while also inspiring and mentoring the next generation, is truly commendable.
Experience Discovery Park
If you’ve never visited Discovery Park before, we invite you to come and explore all that we have to offer. With state-of-the-art lab spaces, modern offices, coworking areas and versatile meeting and event spaces, it’s the perfect environment for innovation and growth. Whether you’re looking for a vibrant coworking space or a new home for your growing business, our team would be delighted to show you around. You can also visit our website to stay updated on the latest events and job opportunities at the park.
