iiCON

What iiCON does

iiCON (Infection Innovation Consortium) is a collaborative infectious disease R&D programme established in September 2020 and led by Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine (LSTM). It operates eleven specialist open-access research platforms covering the full innovation pipeline from TRL 1 (discovery) through TRL 9 (adoption): Bioactives Library, Hits to Leads, Organoid Modelling (Organ-on-Chip), Advanced AMR Modelling, Human Challenge Trials, Diagnostics, Randomised Control Trials, Mapping and Modelling, Nanotherapeutics, Antibody Humanisation (via LifeArc), and Long-Acting Therapeutics (via CELT). The consortium bridges industry, academia, and the NHS, serving a customer base ranging from early-stage UK SMEs to global pharmaceutical companies including Pfizer and Unilever, with over 800 companies engaged and 6,000+ organisations having interacted with the programme globally.

The consortium's business model is fundamentally grant-funded rather than commercially transactional. It was established with an £18.6 million founding grant from UK Research and Innovation's Strength in Places Fund and raised an additional £154.9 million in public and private investment in its first year, creating a c.£173.5–£260 million programme. Core revenue streams include successive UKRI, MRC, and Liverpool City Region Combined Authority grants, supplemented by leveraged industry co-funding, European COST funding, and a commercially sustainable open-access platform model in which companies access specialist expertise and facilities through direct partnership agreements negotiated via the Business Development team. Notable infrastructure includes the £20 million Liverpool Robotic Infection Research Laboratory (the UK's first Category Three Level robotic lab, scheduled to fully open in 2027), an MHRA Phase 1 accredited 12-bed clinical trial unit, and the largest complement of Containment Level 3 laboratories in the North West of England.

Revenue is not publicly disclosed and the entity operates as a non-commercial consortium embedded within LSTM rather than a standalone revenue-generating business. The consortium has supported 36+ products to market since 2020, created 775 high-value jobs across the North West, and partners include Unilever, LifeArc, Medicines for Malaria Venture, Liverpool University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, University of Liverpool, Evotec, Infex Therapeutics, and LYVA Labs. A commercial subsidiary, iiDiagnostics (iiDX), was formed to monetise automated organoid technology, marking an early move toward direct commercialisation.

Name

iiCON

Legal name

Infection Innovation Consortium (iiCON)

Website

https://infectioninnovation.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

2020

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

iiCON (Infection Innovation Consortium) is a Liverpool-based, LSTM-led collaborative R&D consortium operating eleven open-access specialist research platforms for infectious disease drug, diagnostic, and vaccine development, serving over 800 companies globally from SMEs to Pfizer and Unilever.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Infectious Disease R&D Services

NAICS

Medical and Diagnostic Laboratories (6215), Medical Laboratories (621511), Research and Development in Biotechnology (except Nanobiotechnology) (541714), Scientific Research and Development Services (5417)

SIC

Services-Medical Laboratories (8071), Services-Commercial Physical & Biological Research (8731)

akta.pro primary industry

Microbiology & Infectious Disease Diagnostics (culture, rapid antigen, syndromic panels) (HLAAALAC)

akta.pro secondary industries

Antibody Discovery & Engineering Platforms (display tech, bispecifics, Fc engineering) (HLAAAIAB), Clinical Research & Trial Central Laboratories (HLAFAMAL), Infectious Disease Specialty Pharmaceuticals (Non-vaccine) (HLAIACAM), Disease-Specific Reference Laboratory Networks (e.g., TB, HIV, Influenza) (HLAJAIAD), Data Integration, Interoperability & Reporting (ELR/HIE/CDC/NNDSS) (HLAJABAN)

Keywords

• Infectious disease research
• Antimicrobial drug discovery
• Clinical trial services
• Diagnostics development
• Human challenge trials

Headquarters

HQ city

Liverpool

HQ country

United Kingdom

HQ region

Europe

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Infrastructure, Technology or R&D, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Others

Revenue model

1. UKRI Strength in Places Fund (Founding Grant): iiCON was founded in 2020 with an £18.6 million grant from UK Research and Innovation's flagship Strength in Places Fund. This government funding established the consortium and supports the core collaborative R&D programme structure.
2. Industry Partnership and Platform Access: iiCON provides open-access specialist research platforms to companies of all sizes, from early-stage start-ups to global pharma leaders. Companies engage with the consortium at all stages of the innovation journey. The consortium is described as 'commercially sustainable' and generates revenue through facilitating industry partnerships and platform access, though specific commercial terms are not publicly disclosed.
3. Public and Private Investment Leveraged: iiCON has raised significant additional public and private investment, including £154.9 million raised in the first year on top of the founding grant. Additional investments include £10 million from Liverpool City Region Combined Authority, £10 million from Research England's E3 Fund, £4.5 million MRC MARVELS programme, £3.2 million MRC pneumococcal vaccine project, £4.7 million for Human Challenge Facility, £1.5 million UKRI Novel Technologies funding, and £750,000 for the Eyam Health vaccine initiative.
4. COST (European Cooperation in Science and Technology) Funding: iiCON secured funding from COST to establish a pan-European network focused on infectious disease detection, monitoring, and prevention. The network launches in October 2026 with collaborators from 22 countries and international organisations.

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels10 records

Core offering

iiCON operates as an open-access consortium providing industry with access to eleven specialist infectious disease research platforms spanning the full innovation pipeline from early-stage discovery (Bioactives Library, Hits to Leads) through translational development (Organoid Modelling, AMR Modelling, Nanotherapeutics, Antibody Humanisation) to clinical evaluation (Human Challenge Trials, Diagnostics, Randomised Control Trials) and adoption (Mapping and Modelling, Long-Acting Therapeutics). Companies of all sizes access world-leading expertise, facilities including a Category 3 robotic laboratory, and clinical trial infrastructure through direct partnership arrangements.

Product overview

iiCON (Infection Innovation Consortium) is a world-leading collaborative infectious disease R&D programme established in 2020, led by Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine. Rather than a single product, iiCON operates as an ecosystem of 11 specialist research platforms spanning the full innovation pipeline from early discovery (Bioactives Library, Hits to Leads) through translation (Organoid Modelling, Advanced AMR Modelling, Nanotherapeutics, Antibody Humanisation) to evaluation (Human Challenge trials, Diagnostics, Randomised Control Trials) and adoption (Mapping and Modelling, Long-Acting Therapeutics). The consortium provides industry access to world-leading expertise and facilities, supporting products from concept through clinical trials to market. Key infrastructure includes the Liverpool Robotic Infection Research Laboratory (first UK Category 3 AI robotics lab) and subsidiary company iiDiagnostics for automated organoid services. The open-access model enables companies of all sizes to access specialist capabilities across the innovation journey.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• iiDX (iiDiagnostics): Company formed by iiCON to commercialise diagnostic technologies and provide industry access to automated organoid systems
• CELT (Centre of Excellence for Long-Acting Therapeutics)
• Liverpool Robotic Infection Research Laboratory
• iiTECH (Infection Innovation Technology Laboratory)

Products and services

• Platform 1: Bioactives Library A vast collection of thousands of environmental, bacterial, and fungal isolates that supports the discovery and development of the next generation of antimicrobial products and therapies. Available as an open-access platform to industry partners.
• Platform 2: Hits to Leads Specialist support to progress novel therapeutics from hits to leads, developing new innovative antibiotics, particularly targeting multi-drug-resistant superbugs. For pharma and biotech companies developing new antimicrobial candidates.
• Platform 3: Organoid Modelling Organoid modelling using Organ-on-Chip (OOC) technology that transforms industry's approach to drug development and precision medicine, enabling study of infection dynamics in human tissue models that are more predictive than animal-based tests.
• Platform 4: Advanced AMR Modelling PK/PD modelling capabilities targeting multi-drug-resistant pathogens such as Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Acinetobacter baumannii, key global health threats. For companies developing new antimicrobial therapies.
• Platform 5: Human Challenge World-leading human challenge trials offering co-located research and clinical facilities for first-in-human trials across all antimicrobial applications. Includes MHRA Phase 1 accredited unit with 12 beds at Royal Liverpool University Hospital.
• Platform 6: Diagnostics Development and evaluation of novel diagnostic technologies including rapid lateral flow tests, point-of-care tests, and non-invasive diagnostics. Over 50 rapid lateral flow tests evaluated for FIND/WHO.
• Platform 7: Randomised Control Trials Pioneering model systems to embed cluster-randomised control trials into large-scale operational programmes for product validation. Supports clinical evaluation of new anti-infectives and diagnostic products.
• Platform 8: Mapping and Modelling Creation of mathematical models and approaches to disrupt infectious disease transmission, including microbiome ecosystem mapping and data landscape mapping on AMR.
• Platform 9: Nanotherapeutics Access to the Nanotherapeutics Hub at University of Liverpool providing expertise in nanotechnology applications for innovative antimicrobials, vaccines, and advanced materials characterization, including critical quality attribute determination and biocompatibility assessment.
• Platform 10: Antibody Humanisation Streamlined access to LifeArc's leading antibody humanisation capability with over 90 antibodies humanised for 51 companies over 30 years, supporting infectious disease antibody development and contributing to five marketed therapeutics including Keytruda and Leqembi.
• Platform 11: Long-Acting Therapeutics Access to CELT's (Centre of Excellence for Long-acting Therapeutics) expertise in long-acting therapeutics for enhanced product efficacy and drug administration.
• iiDiagnostics (iiDX) A company formed by iiCON to commercialize diagnostic innovations and automated organoid technology, enabling industry access to world-leading organoid capabilities for vaccine candidate testing.
• Liverpool Robotic Infection Research Laboratory The first Category Three Level Robotic Laboratory in the UK, equipped with liquid handling, robotic systems, AI-driven analytics, and analytical equipment for high-containment infection research and high-throughput organoid generation.

Quantifiable outcome

• 36+ new products accelerated to market since 2020
• +15 more outcomes

Named customers15 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed Yes

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

AI capability6 records

Feature6 records

Partnerships

15 partnerships are on record, tiered key partner, collaborative project, mou partner, core/founding and minor.

• LYVA Labskey partnerStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2026Innovation investment company joining iiCON. Delivered the SIGHT programme (Sustainable Innovation in Global Health Technology) in partnership with LSTM, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine. Supports translation of global health research into impactful interventions and helps map the microbiome ecosystem in the Liverpool City Region.
• Medicines for Malaria Venture (MMV)key partnerStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 December 2025World's leading antimalarial product development partnership joining iiCON as a consortium partner. Brings expertise in antimalarial drug discovery, development, and access for low- and middle-income countries. Strengthening iiCON's portfolio in global health and infectious disease innovation.
• Eyam Healthcollaborative projectStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 December 2025Canadian biotech collaborating with iiDiagnostics (iiDX) and LSTM on a £750,000 UK/Canada initiative to bring forward Eyam's novel vaccine technology. Combines Eyam's Gemini and Jennerator AI-driven vaccine platforms with LSTM's automated organoid technology. The project is the first commercial project in the Liverpool Robotic Infection Research Laboratory. Eyam receives advisory services and up to $455,000 CAD from NRC IRAP.
• LifeArckey partnerStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2023Self-funded medical research charity joining as consortium partner to make its world-leading antibody humanisation expertise available through iiCON Platform 10. Over 90 antibodies humanised for 51 companies over 30 years, contributing to five marketed therapeutics including Keytruda and Leqembi. Provides streamlined access to leading humanisation capability coupled with iiCON's infectious disease expertise.
• CN Biocollaborative projectTechnology or Integration · 1 January 2021Research collaboration to validate next-generation COVID-19 research tools using Organ-on-Chip technology. LSTM independently validates CN Bio's novel lung and lung-liver models for SARS-CoV-2 drug discovery. CN Bio's PhysioMimix systems were transferred to LSTM for validation in high-containment CL3 laboratories, with the aim of providing advanced human-relevant infection models for global researchers.
• BactiVacmou partnerStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2021Global bacterial vaccinology network bringing together academic, industry, and policy sector members to accelerate vaccine development against bacterial infections relevant to low- and middle-income countries. Signed a Memorandum of Understanding with iiCON to strengthen and support ongoing collaboration, leveraging complementary strengths to accelerate innovation in infectious disease.
• Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine (LSTM)core/foundingStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 September 2020LSTM is the lead partner and founding organisation of iiCON. Professor Janet Hemingway CBE serves as iiCON's founding Director. LSTM provides the largest concentration of Containment Level 3 laboratories in the North West, the Accelerator Research Clinic (18 beds), and world-leading expertise in tropical medicine, infectious disease research, and clinical trials. The consortium is based within LSTM's facilities in Liverpool. LSTM's research portfolio exceeds £320 million.
• Unilever UKcore/foundingStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 September 2020Unilever is a founding consortium partner bringing expertise in consumer health, hygiene products, and global manufacturing capability. Collaborated with LSTM through iiCON to assess performance of mouthwashes against SARS-CoV-2, demonstrating technology inactivation of COVID-19 for regulatory approval and claims in key global markets. Also involved in antimicrobial surface research.
• Liverpool University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trustcore/foundingStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 September 2020Founding consortium partner providing clinical infrastructure including the NIHR Liverpool and Broadgreen Clinical Research Facility (MHRA Phase 1 accredited, 12 beds) and access to patient populations for clinical trials. Supports early-phase academic and commercial clinical trials in patients and healthy volunteers. Partnered with Infex Therapeutics for clinical testing of novel antimicrobial therapies.
• University of Liverpoolcore/foundingStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 September 2020Founding consortium partner providing expertise across drug discovery, Materials Innovation Factory, Centre of Excellence in Infectious Diseases Research (CEIDR), nanotherapeutics, and organoid technology. Provides key academic research infrastructure and talent including Professor William Hope OBE (Dame Sally Davies Chair of AMR Research), Professor Giancarlo Biagini, and Professor Steve Rannard (Centre of Excellence for Long-Acting Therapeutics).
• Evoteccore/foundingStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 September 2020Global drug discovery and development company based at Alderley Park, Cheshire. Provides industry-scale drug discovery platforms, hit identification, and preclinical development capabilities. Contributes to the consortium's ability to progress novel antimicrobial candidates through the development pipeline.
• Infex Therapeuticscore/foundingStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 September 2020Clinical-stage company based at Alderley Park, Cheshire. Specialises in translating research into novel therapies for pandemic infections and multi-drug-resistant pathogens. Portfolio includes RESP-X (anti-virulence therapy for Pseudomonas aeruginosa) partnered with Shionogi, and MET-X (resistance bypass therapy for Gram-negative bacteria). Both progressing to clinical trials with iiCON and LUHFT support.
• Entertainment Software Association (ESA)minorOthersUnrelated to iiCON infectious disease R&D consortium. The ESA hosts an 'iicon' Interactive Innovation Conference in Las Vegas (April 2026) unrelated to the Liverpool-based Infection Innovation Consortium. Coincidentally shares the 'iiCON' name abbreviation.
• Malawi Liverpool Wellcome Research Programme (MLW)key partnerStrategic or Co-development PartnerLeading clinical research programme in Malawi leading delivery of the landmark £3.2 million MRC-funded pneumococcal CHIM trial. The biggest human challenge trial conducted in Malawi, enrolling 416 participants by 2026. Led by Professor Henry Mwandumba, with Professor Stephen Gordon as programme lead for iiCON. Part of the £4.5 million MARVELS programme.
• iiDiagnostics (iiDX)key partnerStrategic or Co-development PartnerCompany formed by iiCON to commercialise automated organoid technology. Partnered with Eyam Health on the first commercial project at the Liverpool Robotic Infection Research Laboratory. Led by Professor Giancarlo Biagini and Dr Shaun Pennington. Developing physiologically relevant automated tonsillar organoid models for rapid vaccine candidate testing.

Scale indicators23 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• CARB-X: Global non-profit accelerator funding early-stage antibacterial R&D against AMR. Highly comparable to iiCON in funding and de-risking AMR product development for SMEs, with overlapping target customers and a similar public-private funding model.
• LifeArc: Self-funded UK medical research charity providing antibody humanisation and technology transfer. Both a peer and iiCON consortium partner, operating open-access R&D platforms for industry; comparable in funding model, antibody engineering capability, and translational focus.
• Medicines for Malaria Venture (MMV): Leading product development partnership for antimalarial therapies. Both a peer and existing iiCON consortium partner; directly comparable in mission and model (global health R&D partnership supporting drug discovery through clinical trials for infectious diseases).
• TB Alliance: Non-profit product development partnership advancing new TB regimens. Directly comparable as an infectious disease PDP funding R&D from discovery through clinical trials, with similar grant-funded consortium model and global health mandate.
• Evotec: Global contract research and development organisation offering drug discovery and development services. Both a peer and existing iiCON consortium partner, with directly comparable Hits to Leads, screening, and preclinical development capabilities serving infectious disease customers.
• GARDP (Global Antibiotic R&D Partnership): International not-for-profit developing new antibiotic treatments for drug-resistant infections. Directly comparable to iiCON's Hits to Leads and AMR Modelling platforms, addressing the same antimicrobial pipeline gap and serving SME and large-pharma partners.
• CEPI (Coalition for Epidemic Preparedness Innovations): Global partnership that accelerates development of vaccines against epidemic and pandemic threats. Directly comparable to iiCON as a multi-stakeholder infectious disease R&D consortium funding platform technologies and clinical trials across vaccine discovery, human challenge, and outbreak response.

Emerging players

• The Francis Crick Institute: UK biomedical discovery institute conducting research across multiple disease areas including infection and immunity. Comparable as a UK-based, multi-partner biomedical research consortium, though broader than iiCON and less industry-platform focused.

Broad incumbents

• BARDA (Biomedical Advanced Research and Development Authority): US government agency funding MCM R&D including infectious disease products. Comparable to iiCON in funding infectious disease R&D and clinical trials infrastructure, though much larger and oriented to US national security/emergency response.
• Institut Pasteur: Long-established French infectious disease research institute with global network. Comparable to iiCON as a major multi-platform infection R&D organisation with discovery, diagnostics, and clinical research capabilities, though broader in scope and not an industry-focused consortium.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat6 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xtwitter.com/iiconNW?s=20
• YouTubeyoutube.com/channel/UCOLlvKAm0FIBIW5umefR6RA
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/infection-innovation-consortium

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles8 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds1 record

Investors1 record

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M&A

Investments1 record

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Frequently asked questions about iiCON