SC1 London has set out ambitious plans to be a global leader in health and life sciences growth, innovation and enterprise, yesterday at The Shard, SE1, as part of London Life Sciences Week.
SC1 London is a growing ecosystem of people, places and partners dedicated to world-leading innovation in health and life sciences, all located in south central London. Plans announced include:
· Over 20,000 high quality jobs by 2030, and a life sciences talent pipeline supported by training and skills for communities in South London.
· Over 2 million sq ft of consented research, development, innovation space for future health and life sciences innovators and entrepreneurs will be delivered over the next five years through cross-sector partnerships and investment, including projects at Royal Street, Snowsfields Quarter, and Newcomen Street.
· This amounts to an estimated £3bn projected value of Royal Street and Snowfields Quarter developments alone.
Speakers included Dr Zubir Ahmed MP, Minister for Health Innovation and Safety and Deputy Mayor of London for Business & Growth, Howard Dawber OBE.
Howard Dawber OBE, Deputy Mayor of London for Business & Growth said:
“London is Europe’s powerhouse for life sciences and now the front runner to become the new world capital in the sector. It is fantastic to see SC1 working in collaboration to help unlock the investment, space, planning and talent London needs to help create jobs in this sector and boost the economy as we build a better and more prosperous London for everyone.”
Last month Southwark Council approved the development of the Snowfields Quarter, projected to create around 900 new jobs. With Lambeth Council approving Royal Street plans in 2022.
This week SC1 London set out a new strategic direction focused on innovation, enterprise, real estate, local communities and talent. Plans were announced to one hundred decision-makers from across business, health, government, international venture capital and local organisations at ‘SC1 London’s Spotlight: The Future of Health and Life Sciences’ event. This follows new data revealing London as the top city outside of those in the US for life sciences investment, with approx. £1.59 billion in VC funding so far in 2025.
SC1 London is a partnership that unites seven partners – Guy’s & St Thomas’ Foundation, Lambeth Council, Southwark Council and the four organisations of King’s Health Partners (KHP): Guy’s & St Thomas’, King’s College Hospital, and South London and Maudsley NHS Foundation Trusts, and King’s College London. The district also includes three Innovation Hubs (the BioMedical Hub at the London Bridge Campus, the MedTech Hub at the Westminster Bridge Campus, and the Mind & Body Hub at the Denmark Hill Campus).
Professor Graham Lord, SC1 London Co-Chair and Executive Director of King’s Health Partners (KHP) said:
” SC1 London is a partnership powerhouse. We’re focused on ensuring that London’s people and places are health and life sciences winners, securing the capital’s place at the forefront of world-class health, sciences, and innovation. Our ambition reflects huge opportunities for innovation and our future collective health and wealth.”
The event showcased paradigm defining innovation in health and life sciences including cutting edge AI powered cancer care from PharosAI, AI enabled pregnancy ultrasound by Fraiya, and AI-powered hyperspectral imaging from Hypervision Surgical, making surgeries safer, faster and more precise.
Plans support London and national priorities across health and the economy: from enabling world-class research and development, to driving health innovation with positive impact for local communities.
