Role models and case studies

Scientific innovation takes many forms, from small improvements to existing technologies and protocols to the development of new platforms and therapeutics that can form the basis of biotech companies.

Explore a selection of examples of innovation at Sanger and their impact on science, health and biodiversity.

Bugs as drugs – Innovating in the Microbiome space

Dr Trevor Lawley, Senior Group Leader in the Parasites and Microbes Programme has turned basic, fundamental research into innovative science with potential to treat a broad range of human diseases.

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Accidental Entrepreneur

Sanger Director Matt Hurles defines himself as an accidental entrepreneur, even though he spearheads a number of innovative initiatives that showcase his motivation to ultimately bring benefits to patients, with a clear focus on rare developmental disorders.

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Microbiotica: Unlocking the power of the human genome

Based originally upon the research of the human microbiome carried out at the Wellcome Sanger Institute, Microbiotica was spun out as a microbiome therapeutics company in 2016.

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A passion for problem-solving

Qianxin Wu is at the forefront of innovation, working on CRISPR, genome editing and single-cell technologies, amongst other things. She is a highly entrepreneurial scientist, with a passion for problem solving.

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Congenica: Advancing healthcare through Genomics

Based on pioneering research from the Wellcome Sanger Institute and the UK NHS, Congenica has a global footprint supporting leading international laboratories, academic medical centres, and biopharmaceutical companies and is the exclusive Clinical Decision Support partner for the NHS Genomic Medicine Service.

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Sequencing anything, anytime, anywhere

Physilia Chua is a postdoctoral fellow leading the BIOSCAN flying insects project in the UK and her work documents UK insect diversity and the discovery of species interactions.

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Mosaic's Becoming

Mosaic Therapeutics exemplifies how our research can have a veritable impact on society. We, at the Wellcome Sanger Institute, are committed to innovative science at scale, but we need partners and investors to transfer this science into the clinic. 

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Tackling trypanosomiasis in cattle in sub-Saharan Africa

Three vaccine targets discovered by the Wellcome Sanger Institute focus on targeting animal trypanosomiasis in an effort to find a cure for a disease that causes billions in economic losses in one of the poorest regions on earth. These losses fall heavily on small holders, who are often heavily dependent on livestock for their livelihood.

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From bench to bedside – Innovating blood cancer clinical practice

Jyoti Nangalia, Faculty member and haematologist at the Cambridge University Hospitals NHS Trust is at the forefront of innovation in blood cancers, combining her clinical, academic and genomic expertise to advance our understanding of blood cancers.

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Kymab: Novel antibody therapeutics at Sanger’s first ever spin-out

The Wellcome Sanger Institute‘s first-ever spin-out, Kymab Ltd was acquired by Sanofi in 2021. Founded by the former Institute director and Sanger researcher, Allan Bradley, Kymab’s therapeutics are designed to modulate the immune system to overcome cancer immune tolerance and to treat autoimmune diseases. A great example of the power of innovation and technology translation.

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From somatic mutations to Quotient

Dr Iñigo Martincorena, group leader in the Cancer, Ageing and Somatic Mutation programme at the Wellcome Sanger Institute and academic co-founder of Quotient Therapeutics. 

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COSMIC: Commercialising a database

The Catalogue Of Somatic Mutations In Cancer - a database curated by experts covering a wide variety of somatic mutation mechanisms involved in human cancer. 

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Three ambitious projects to fight Malaria

Between 2012 and 2017, the Sanger Institute's Genomics Innovation backed three ambitious projects tackling areas key to eliminating malaria. 

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Innovation and Business Engagement team

The Innovation and Business Engagement team at the Sanger Institute empowers innovators and builds partnerships with businesses and investors to turn our science into real-world benefits for society.

Meet the team