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Author: Sara

Expansion of Sutton’s cancer district and town centre regeneration powering the capital’s growth

Posted on by Sara

London’s Deputy Mayor for Business and Growth, Howard Dawber, praised the Council’s ambitious regeneration plans during a recent visit to Sutton, hosted by Leader of the Council, Councillor Barry Lewis.

The Deputy Mayor commended the “fantastic work taking place across the borough to support London’s Growth Plan,” specifically citing the expansion of the the London Cancer District and Sutton town centre’s regeneration.

The Leader and Deputy Mayor were joined by the Chief Executive Officers of London and Partners, Laura Citron OBE, and MedCity, Dr Angela Kukula, where they learnt more about Aviva and Socius’ plans to expand the London Cancer District.

This follows the Council’s landmark deal with the partners to advance the development of the five-hectare site adjacent to the renowned Royal Marsden Hospital and the globally- recognised Institute for Cancer Research. The partnership will deliver one million square feet of research, treatment and innovation spaces alongside amenities for local people and visitors.

In Sutton town centre, they visited Oru Sutton and the St Nicholas Centre, which the Council’s development partner Generate Kajima Regeneration Ltd will refurbish to create a new civic hub with improved retail, leisure and public spaces.

Leader of Sutton Council, Councillor Barry Lewis, said: “It was a pleasure to welcome the Deputy Mayor to Sutton and show him some of the innovative projects and schemes that Sutton is taking forward to drive growth in the borough, create jobs and support our local businesses.

“We are ambitious to do more and look forward to working with the London Mayor and the government to continue this work.’’

Deputy Mayor for Business & Growth, Howard Dawber, said: “It was a pleasure to visit Sutton Council and see the innovative work taking place across the borough.

“It was particularly inspiring to tour the new London Cancer District, where the Institute of Cancer Research and Socius are working to create a world-leading cancer research and life sciences institute.

“Growth increasingly happens in hubs outside the city centre, like here in Sutton and the Mayor and I will continue to support new growth clusters as they create jobs and opportunities for Londoners. Together we can build a better, fairer and more prosperous London for all.”

Laura Citron OBE, Chief Executive Officer of London and Partners, said: “Sutton is already playing a pivotal role in bringing the London growth plan to life, thanks to its world-class life science offer at the London Cancer District and an upcoming regenerated town centre.

“The borough has all the potential to lead the future innovation of our capital, and we are committed to working together to unlock even more investment pathways for businesses and residents alike.”

Dr Angela Kukula, Chief Executive of MedCity, said: “Sutton shows exactly why now is an exciting time to be working in London’s life science sector.

“Bringing together world-class research at the Institute of Cancer Research (part of the University of London), exemplary cancer care at the Royal Marsden Hospital and multi-million pound investment into commercial and community spaces, projects like the London Cancer District demonstrate the crucial role of life sciences in driving the capital’s economic growth and innovation.

“I’m really looking forward to seeing the development of the borough as it becomes a centre for delivering the next generation of cancer treatments.”

Curesponse: collaboration in action at London Cancer District

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We caught up with Dr. Sandra Hanks, director of Curesponse’s UK Laboratory at the Innovation Gateway

Nestled within the London Cancer District is the Innovation Gateway, where a range of companies are delivering groundbreaking advances in life sciences and drug discovery.

The facility, a partnership between The Institute of Cancer Research (ICR) and Sutton Council, is home to the personalised cancer medicine start-up Curesponse, the only business of its type in the UK.

We caught up with Dr. Sandra Hanks, the director of its UK Laboratory, to learn more about her team’s discoveries and why collaboration is key in the fight against cancer.

Please can you tell us a bit about Curesponse and its objectives?

Curesponse is a commercial-stage precision oncology company, founded in Israel, that has developed cResponse™, a unique genomic-functional personalised cancer medicine platform which evaluates drug response in patient tumour tissues.

The cResponse™ platform combines rapid genomic sequencing with a functional assay that preserves the tissue’s architecture and microenvironment, enabling prioritisation of different therapeutic options for cancer patients. The technology works across the full therapeutic modality spectrum including chemotherapies, targeted therapies, immunotherapies and combinations of different drugs.

The test provides a critical decision-support tool for oncologists that enables more precise and personalised treatment planning. cResponse™ is also utilised by pharmaceutical companies to accelerate the discovery and development of new cancer drugs. Our mission at Curesponse is to enable truly personal therapy selection for cancer patients and expedite cancer R&D.

What does your role as UK Laboratory Director involve?

I am responsible for the overall operation and administration of our UK laboratory. This includes the recruitment and management of laboratory staff, equipment maintenance, safety, quality assurance, regulatory compliance and ensuring the accuracy and reliability of test results.

What do you enjoy most about your role?

I enjoy that I get to work with experts in their field and being part of a company that has developed a groundbreaking innovative test which has the potential to offer significant benefit to those treating cancer and their patients, as well as accelerating the discovery of new cancer drugs.

Are there any exciting projects or developments at Curesponse you’re able to share?

Curesponse is currently initiating commercial activities to support the clinical use of cResponse™ in the UK and EU, with expansion to the USA planned. We are also actively engaged in collaborations with 5 of the top 10 global pharmaceutical companies, including Roche, to accelerate their drug discovery pipelines.

What inspired you to pursue a career in the industry?

I have always been passionate about science and have spent most of my career working in the cancer field, previously in academia at the ICR where I completed my PhD, and subsequently as a Laboratory Manager at the Royal Marsden Hospital.

My move to medtech was inspired by the opportunity to be part of a company that had developed a groundbreaking test to directly impact patient outcomes and enhance the quality of healthcare globally.

Have there been any particularly rewarding moments in your career so far?

I have been very privileged to have the opportunity to set up the Curesponse UK operations which has included gaining UKAS ISO 15189 medical laboratory accreditation as well as CE marking of cResponse™, essential to enable its commercial launch in the UK and Europe. I am also very proud to have been part of the successful global clinical validation of cResponse™.

What excites you most about the future of Curesponse?

cResponse™ is the world’s first platform that can offer patients, oncologists and pharmaceutical partners a truly empirical test that captures the sensitivity and resistance of an individual tumour to different drugs and drug combinations within two weeks from tissue sampling. I am very excited that our platform is available in the UK and EU, with plans to expand to the USA, to assist clinicians in identifying optimal treatments for their patients and accelerating drug discovery in the pharmaceutical industry.

What do you like most about being based at Innovation Gateway?

Being located at Innovation Gateway offers Curesponse the opportunity to be part of the London Cancer District, with close proximity to world-leading organisations such as The Institute of Cancer Research and The Royal Marsden Hospital. This provides unique opportunities to establish new collaborations to advance cancer care and cancer research and save lives.

Have you partnered with any other occupiers at Innovation Gateway?

We have collaborated with The Institute of Cancer Research’s Core Research Facilities and their Flow Cytometry team to assist our R&D work and we are currently planning further collaborations with other teams within The Institute of Cancer Research’s Core Research Facilities.

Creating opportunities for Sutton’s aspirational students

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As part of London Cancer District’s social impact commitments, the development’s project team held a series of work placements over half term to provide experience for local students.

Communications consultants Meeting Place brought marketing students Natiah and the London Cancer District.

Tetiana and Natiah reflect on their placement…

Natiah:”Stepping into the world of marketing is more than just learning theories—it’s about applying those ideas to make a real impact. For us, our work experience with Meeting Place opened the doors to meaningful projects and hands-on learning that shaped our understanding of the sector.”

Learning through immersion

Tetiana: ”I wanted to see how my academic knowledge translated into the real world. From market research to campaign analysis, I quickly learned that practical experience was the key to deepening my understanding.

“One of my major tasks was helping to develop creative engagement strategies for The London Cancer District ahead of the third round of engagement. We had a site visit, gathered information and brainstormed ways to connect with staff, the local community, and young people. And, as we live locally, I think we were very well placed to help.

“Turning those ideas into a PowerPoint presentation was a challenge, but it was great to create something that had real-world relevance for a live project which will impact our community.”

Natiah shared a similar excitement about gaining real-world insights.

Natiah: “I applied for the opportunity hoping it would prepare me for my future studies in communications and give me a better idea of how the marketing industry operates.

“During our time at Meeting Place, we got to learn about projects like The London Cancer District and brainstorm how it could serve the community. It was eye-opening to see marketing at work beyond the classroom walls.”

Mastering the art of communication

Tetiana: ”One of the most valuable lessons we both learned was the importance of effective communication. I had the opportunity to create a press release that conveyed important information in a way that was informative yet engaging.

“Writing a press release taught me the importance of language being clear and engaging, and how to get people excited about what’s happening.”

Natiah also took a deep dive into communication, especially around the concept of social impact.

Natiah: “We met with Ruth, Meeting Place’s Social Impact lead, who explained how developments like the London Cancer District could transform communities. With Ruth’s support, we wrote social impact assessments which explained these benefits. It was all about making what might seem like complex ideas relatable and showing people why this development matters.”

Proposing ideas that impact communities

The London Cancer District project gave the duo a chance to apply their creative thinking to address real community needs.

Tetiana: “One of my most meaningful contributions was suggesting ways to use the development space to benefit nearby residents. I proposed creating a sports field using some of the site’s greenery for a school. I also suggested an innovation hub where local professionals and groups could hold important meetings. These ideas weren’t just abstract, they demonstrated the potential for thoughtful design to bring people together.

Reflections on the journey

Natiah: “Looking back, I’m grateful for the experience, which allowed me to develop my communication and time management skills.

“I learned to structure my work and manage my time better, and I discovered what kind of marketing roles might suit me in the future. I feel grateful to Meeting Place for giving me a glimpse into what marketing professionals actually do, as it will help me to make a more informed decision on what I want to pursue after my studies.”

Consultation launched for updated London Cancer District proposals

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Latest plans shaped by more than 3,200 responses to previous consultations

Last chance for community to have their say before application submitted to Sutton Council

Impactful developer Socius and Aviva are seeking feedback from people living, working and visiting Sutton and the surrounding area on their revised proposals for the London Cancer District. Once complete, the life sciences development will become the world’s leading district for cancer research and treatment.

Over 3,200 responses to the proposals were submitted to the project team following previous rounds of public consultation held earlier this year. Socius and Aviva are now inviting members of the community to learn how their feedback has been used to help shape the development’s updated design.

Community events will be held this week, giving people the chance to give their views and share feedback on the latest proposals, with interactive activities such as bulb planting also taking place for children.

Under the final round of engagement, local people can see the new CGIs of what the development will look like and hear more about what’s planned for the development’s first phase. The consultation will also provide further information on proposed improvements to the local transport network, amenities and sustainability.

Members of the community can meet with London Cancer District’s project team at Harris Academy (Thursday 14 November, 17.30 – 20.30) and St Nicholas Shopping Centre (Saturday 16 November, 10.00 – 14.00).

From 13 November, people can see the plans and share views on the emerging proposals by completing an online survey at https://cancerhub.london/. Following this round of consultation, Aviva and Socius will review the feedback gathered before submitting a planning application to Sutton Council in early 2025.

Daniel May, Development Director, Socius, said: “We’re incredibly thankful to the 3,000+ people that have engaged with our proposals for London Cancer District so far.

“We have listened to the feedback previously shared and believe that these updated proposals deliver a place that local people can benefit from, whilst providing a world-class research facility that will put Sutton on the map.”

Sophie White, Sector Head for Regeneration, Aviva, said: “I would like to encourage everyone who lives or works in the Sutton area to come down to the events and share their views on the latest proposals for the London Cancer District.

“This project is a unique opportunity to build a world-class research facility that will create a lasting positive impact for the Sutton community and help the UK get ready for the future.”

Building on the groundbreaking work already provided by Institute of Cancer Research and Royal Marsden Hospital, the London Cancer District will deliver a new ecosystem of labs, research and commercial facilities that will attract researchers and scientists from around the world and accelerate the development of cancer treatments.

November – Engagement

Posted on by Sara

Since we shared the updated proposals for London Cancer District in July, there has been a lot of activity with local youth groups, charities, schools and science community.

We have listened to your feedback and our forthcoming consultation events will demonstrate how we have updated the designs to address your comments on:

  • Traffic and transport
  • Accessibility for diverse users within the community
  • Sustainability and social impact
  • Local amenities for the community

You can attend one of our events (see below), to explore how the plans are evolving and get involved. We’ll also have seasonal bulb-planting activities for people of all ages to enjoy.

The materials that will be displayed at the consultation events will be uploaded to the project website on Wednesday 13 November.

We look forward to seeing you there.

Thursday 14 November
5:30pm – 8:30pm
Harris Academy Sutton
2 Chiltern Road
SM2 5QP

Saturday 16 November
10:00am – 2:00pm
St Nicholas Shopping Centre
Level 1 & Level 2
3 St Nicholas Centre
Sutton SM1 1AW

London Cancer District encourages local organisations to help make a difference in Sutton

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Impactful developer Socius calls on Sutton organisations to collaborate on community initiatives

Working with young people at a recent workshop in partnership with Regeneration Brainery. Image credit: London Cancer Hub.
Working with young people at a recent workshop in partnership with Regeneration Brainery. Image credit: London Cancer District.

Socius, the impactful developer behind the proposals for the London Cancer Hub, is calling on local organisations to come forward and partner with them on initiatives that will benefit Sutton’s communities.

An Impact Fund set up early in the project committed 100 hours of local volunteering time, alongside resources and money to support local organisations. The project team, which includes Aviva’s in house capital unit, Aviva Capital Partners, is also providing additional support for young people through 10 weeks of work experience. Opportunities include placements with lead architects Gensler and engineering consultants Arup.

As part of the development, the project team has recently facilitated workshops with the Sutton Young Commissioners at Sutton Volunteer Centre, students at Harris Academy Sutton and young adults with Regeneration Brainery, where attendees learnt more about careers in science and innovation.

The project team is also committed to improving existing cancer research and treatment as part of their work on the scheme, together raising more than £7,000 through various sporting challenges for The Institute of Cancer Research and The Royal Marsden Cancer Charity.

Daniel May, Development Director, Socius, said: “Our proposals for London Cancer District will deliver more than buildings; we want to ensure a legacy for local people. That is why we are urging local charities and organisations to get involved in this Impact Fund and help to deliver initiatives that will be beneficial to the local community.

“Whether this is through school workshops, community gardening, volunteering or pro-bono initiatives, we are excited to work together so that we leave a positive impact across all stages of development and create meaningful, long-lasting change in Sutton.”

Joanne Sainsbury, Director at Arup, said: “The Impact Fund is an ideal opportunity for the community to engage with the London Cancer District’s project team. From the earliest stages in the design of the development, we’ve had meaningful conversations and we are looking forward to building on these ideas and aspirations for the benefit of the local community.”

Building on the groundbreaking work already delivered by the Institute of Cancer Research and Royal Marsden Hospital, the London Cancer District will deliver a new ecosystem of labs, research and commercial facilities that will attract researchers and scientists from around the world and accelerate the development of cancer treatments.

With London Cancer District’s pre-application consultation underway, local people are expressing an interest in seeing meanwhile use on the development, including areas for the community to enjoy, which could include padel courts, a microbrewery or a bakery.

Plans revealed for world-leading cancer research district in Sutton

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Aviva and Socius launch consultation giving public the chance to shape London Cancer District proposals

Major social economic benefits, including thousands of jobs and a significant contribution to the local and UK economy, will be generated by the development.

Indicative sketch showcasing the proposals for London Cancer Hub
Indicative sketch showcasing the proposals for London Cancer District

[London, Tuesday 9 July] Aviva and impactful developer Socius are asking people living, working and visiting Sutton and the wider area to share their views on new plans for the London Cancer District, a proposed development which aims to become the world’s leading district for cancer research and treatment.

Building on the groundbreaking facilities already provided by The Institute of Cancer Research and The Royal Marsden Hospital, the London Cancer District will deliver a new ecosystem of labs, research and commercial facilities that will attract researchers and scientists from around the world and accelerate the development of cancer treatments.

Aviva and Socius were selected by the London Borough of Sutton to develop the world-leading cancer research and innovation facility, which will consist of a one million sqft life sciences district across a five-hectare site.

Following an introductory round of consultation held in March 2024, members of the local community will have the opportunity to hear more about how previous feedback has informed the proposals, especially with regards to green spaces and local amenities.

People will also have the chance to share their views on the emerging masterplan and learn about the types of uses and buildings proposed across the new district. Additionally, they will be able to provide ideas for what temporary activities could be activated on the site in advance of the construction works.

A series of community events will be held in mid-July, giving people the chance to give their views and share feedback on the latest proposals.

Members of the community can meet with London Cancer Hub’s project team at Trinity Square on Sutton High Street (Saturday 13 July, 10am – 2pm, opposite Waterstones) or at drop-in events at Harris Academy Sutton (Tuesday 16 July & Thursday 18 July, both 5.30pm – 8.30pm).

In addition, from 12 July people will be able to see the plans and share views on the emerging proposals by completing an online survey at https://cancerhub.london/.

Sophie White, Sector Head for Regeneration, Aviva, said: “Aviva is investing significantly in critical areas of the UK economy. We are using our capital to generate long term income for our customers and help the UK to grow, with the London Cancer District representing an important part of that ambition. London Cancer District will provide world-class cancer research and bolster the UK’s ambition to be a leader in the life sciences sector.

“It is incredibly important that the site delivers for local people as well as for the scientific research community. This is a once in a generation opportunity to build something special in Sutton. We strongly encourage the local community to join us at a consultation event, hear more about the evolving plans and most importantly contribute their thoughts and ideas on the London Cancer District”.

Daniel May, Development Director, Socius, said: “We are pleased that over 1,400 local people have already shared their strong support for our scheme so far. We have committed to continuing to listen to feedback and these events will provide an opportunity to see how the plans are developing and give people the chance to contribute their thoughts and ideas. We hope that local residents can see that the designs are people centred, are knitted into the existing community and delivering places and amenities that people can benefit from, both now and for generations to come.”

Gensler appointed to lead design of London Cancer District

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London Cancer District will be largest science project designed by Gensler in Europe

Aviva and mixed-use developer Socius announce they have appointed leading global architecture and design practice Gensler to lead the design of a new district for cancer research and treatment at the London Cancer District (“LCD”) in Sutton, London.

Gensler, which employs over 6,000 designers worldwide, has partnered with clients in the biotech, pharmaceutical and science-based industries to deliver lab, R&D and innovation facilities across the US and in Europe. Previous projects include Cure, a new healthcare innovation campus in New York; the IQHQ Research and Development District in San Diego which is set to be the largest urban commercial waterfront site along California’s Pacific coast; and the US headquarters for Denmark-founded biotech company, Genmab in Princeton, New Jersey..

London Cancer District will be the largest science campus designed by Gensler in Europe, comprising 1 million sq ft of labs, R&D space, healthcare facilities and supporting accommodation. The new buildings will be set within new landscaped green spaces and integrate with existing world-class facilities on the five-hectare site including The Institute of Cancer Research, The Royal Marsden Hospital and the Innovation Gateway, which provides incubator space for start-ups and spin-outs.

The design approach is to create state-of-the-art facilities with an active ground floor, helping to showcase innovation and support local employment opportunities in science-based industries. The development will be designed to exceed current sustainability standards and is targeting net-zero carbon in operation.

Gensler has been appointed to the project team alongside global engineering, design and sustainability consultancy Arup and the UK’s largest planning consultancy, Savills.

Sophie White, Regeneration Lead, Aviva, said “We are pleased to bring together this world class team to design and develop the LLondon Cancer District and advance the ambition to bolster the UK’s leading role in the global life sciences sector. Aviva alongside Socius look forward to partnering with local residents, businesses and Council to provide much needed jobs, training opportunities and wider community benefits”

Daniel May, Development Director, Socius, said: “Gensler has an unrivalled track record in designing London Cancer District to create a vibrant ecosystem of labs, R&D space and healthcare facilities that will attract leading researchers and scientists from around the world to drive forward further progress in cancer treatment and diagnostics, as well as inspire those that live, work and study in the area.”

Richard Harrison, Co-Managing Director, Principal at Gensler, said: “The site boasts a prestigious group of institutions, but we envisage a more connected and truly inclusive innovative district that will bring leading talent and businesses together to revolutionise cancer research and treatment. At Gensler, we recognise the transformative power of design to elevate health and wellness and are proud to be working on a project that will help accelerate scientific discovery.”

Aviva and Socius announce plans for world leading cancer research district in Sutton

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Aviva and Socius have been selected as the preferred investor/developer to advance the development of the world’s leading district for cancer research and treatment at the London Cancer Hub in Sutton.

Aviva and Socius will partner with landowner London Borough of Sutton, and work closely with the The Institute of Cancer Research, London, The Royal Marsden NHS Foundation Trust, Epsom and St. Helier University Hospitals NHS Trust, on the multi-phase development, which consists of a one million sq. ft. life sciences campus on a five hectare site.

Further investment and development will create a state of the art life science campus dedicated to research and treatment of cancer. The London Cancer Hub (LCH) will deliver major social and economic benefits including 13,000 highly skilled jobs in health, science, education and construction, c.£1.2bn GVA to the UK economy, and £12m increase in business rates.

Barry Jessup, Managing Director of Socius, said:

“This is a once in a generation opportunity to deliver a sustainable campus for excellence in cancer research. Our vision is to build on the ground-breaking facilities already provided by Institute for Cancer Research and Royal Marsden Hospital with a new ecosystem of labs, R&D and commercial facilities in a campus setting that will attract researchers and scientists from around the world and accelerate the development of ground breaking cancer treatments. We look forward to working with Aviva, London Borough of Sutton and key local stakeholders to develop our plans for the site.”

Charlotte Jones, Aviva’s Chief Financial Officer said:

“Aviva is investing significantly in critical areas of the UK economy such as housing, green energy and healthcare. We are using our capital to generate long term income for our customers and help the UK to grow. The London Cancer Hub will provide world-class cancer research and bolster the UK’s ambition to be a leader in the Life Sciences sector.”

Councillor Ruth Dombey OBE, Leader of Sutton Council, said:

“I’m delighted we have reached this stage in the process and I look forward to completing the deal and seeing the next phase of our ambitions for the London Cancer Hub delivered. The Centre will bring many benefits to Sutton, London and the rest of the UK through the creation of high quality jobs, education opportunities and space for growing businesses. It will also make Sutton home to an internationally recognised centre for the treatment and cure of cancer, discovering new drugs and most importantly, saving lives.”

Professor Paul Workman, Harrap Professor of Cancer Pharmacology and Therapeutics at The Institute of Cancer Research, London, said:

“We’re confident that new commercial space here at The London Cancer Hub will deliver great benefits – by encouraging innovative collaborations between academics, clinicians, and industry, by facilitating the kinds of breakthroughs that can only come from working across scientific and organisational boundaries, and by providing the new treatments for people with cancer that are so urgently needed.”

Dame Cally Palmer, Chief Executive of The Royal Marsden NHS Foundation Trust, said:

“We are privileged to have an exciting blend of scientific and clinical expertise at Sutton that consistently translates innovative ideas in drug discovery from the laboratory to the clinical setting for the benefit of cancer patients worldwide.

The London Borough of Sutton’s vision for The London Cancer Hub and invitation to biotech industry to move into commercial space onsite will strengthen our flourishing research community and create new opportunities for us to collaborate on developing cancer treatments for the future.”

Gillian Norton, Chairman, St George’s, Epsom and St Helier University Hospitals and Health Group, said:

“The Trust is excited about the potential of so many health-related facilities – our new hospital, new life sciences investment through the London Cancer Hub, and The Royal Marsden NHS Foundation Trust – sharing a site, amenities and infrastructure.

Cushman & Wakefield are advising the London Borough of Sutton.