What Our Future Health does

Our Future Health is a UK registered charity and company limited by guarantee (founded 2020) that operates the world's largest health research programme of its kind, with a target cohort of up to 5 million UK adults and over 2.4 million consented participants as of mid-2025. The programme collects five core linked data assets per participant: a baseline health and lifestyle questionnaire, SNP-array genetic data with imputed genotypes and ancestry estimates, point-of-care and laboratory-grade clinic measurements (including lipid profiles, blood pressure, height, weight), and anonymised linked NHS health records spanning hospital episodes, GP data, prescribed medications, cancer registry data up to 38 years (1985-2023), and death registrations. These datasets are aggregated and made available to approved researchers through a Trusted Research Environment (TRE) hosted on the DNAnexus cloud platform, with quarterly data releases governed by an Access Board under a Cambridge East Research Ethics Committee-approved framework.

The underlying technology stack combines the DNAnexus-hosted TRE (secure cloud computing with strict access controls and collaboration tooling) with proprietary participant recruitment and re-contact infrastructure, integrating Mixpanel for web analytics, Iterable for email campaigns, Qualtrics for community-champion onboarding, Voucher Express for participant incentives, YOTI for identity verification, and Zinc for DBS checks. Data linkages to NHS England, NHS Scotland, NHS Wales, and Health and Social Care Northern Ireland are mediated by formal agreements under UK GDPR, the Human Tissue Act 2004, and ICO registration.

Revenue is generated through a hybrid funding model rather than commercial product sales: a collaboration between UK Research and Innovation (UKRI) public funding, multi-year commitments from 30+ charity partners (Cancer Research UK, Wellcome, LifeArc, British Heart Foundation, Alzheimer's Research UK, Diabetes UK, etc.) and 10+ industry partners (AstraZeneca, GSK, Pfizer, Roche, Novartis, Amgen, Boehringer Ingelheim, MSD, Novo Nordisk, Regeneron, Biogen, Janssen, Illumina), supplemented by tiered data-access fees paid by approved researchers (commercial organisations pay higher rates than academic/non-profit users). Participant incentives are limited to a £10 voucher via Voucher Express. Recruitment is driven by NHS DigiTrials invitations, Boots pharmacy clinic partnerships across all four UK nations, NHS Blood and Transplant donation-session integration, a Community Champions volunteer outreach programme targeting under-represented populations, and direct website registration. The organisation employs 11-50 staff across a registered office in Manchester and operates under a Board of Trustees, Access Board, and Trading Board governance structure.

Name

Our Future Health

Legal name

Our Future Health Limited

Website

https://ourfuturehealth.org.uk

Company type

Private

Founded year

2020

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Our Future Health is a UK registered charity operating the world's largest health research programme, combining genetic, clinical, and linked NHS health data from up to 5 million UK adults and providing approved researchers secure access via a Trusted Research Environment.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Health Research Data Platform

NAICS

Research and Development in Biotechnology (except Nanobiotechnology) (541714), Medical Laboratories (621511)

SIC

Services-Commercial Physical & Biological Research (8731), In Vitro & In Vivo Diagnostic Substances (2835)

akta.pro primary industry

Population Genomics & Preventive Precision Health Programs (HLAAANAL)

akta.pro secondary industries

Data Linkage, Registries & Longitudinal Cohort Surveillance (HLAJANAM), Health Data, Vital Statistics & Population Health Informatics (BPAIAJAM)

Keywords

• Health research programme
• Cohort study platform
• Genomic data services
• Clinical research recruitment
• Research data access

Headquarters

HQ city

London

HQ country

United Kingdom

HQ region

Europe

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Software

Cost components

Personnel, Technology or R&D, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure, Supply Chain

Revenue model

1. Data Access Fees from Researchers: Approved researchers pay fees to access the Our Future Health data resource. Fees vary depending on organisation type and data requested. Commercial research organisations pay different rates than academic/non-profit researchers. This revenue supports the long-term sustainability of the programme.
2. Charity and Industry Partnership Funding: Our Future Health receives funding from UK Research and Innovation (UKRI) - the UK Government-funded body for science and research. Additional funding comes from charity and industry partners who contribute to setting up and delivering the programme.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

Our Future Health recruits up to 5 million UK adults aged 18+ to participate in a health research programme, collecting baseline health questionnaires, blood samples for SNP-array genetic analysis, clinic measurements (blood pressure, height, weight, lipid profile), and linking these to NHS health records. Approved researchers from universities, NHS bodies, charities, pharmaceutical companies and SMEs access this de-identified data via a DNAnexus-hosted Trusted Research Environment on a fee-paying basis and can re-contact volunteers for follow-on studies.

Product overview

Our Future Health is the UK's largest health research programme, structured as a data platform combining multiple linked data products. The core offering is the Trusted Research Environment (TRE), powered by DNAnexus, which aggregates and makes available participant data across five main data types: the Baseline Health Questionnaire, Genetic Data (from SNP array analysis of blood samples), Clinic Measurements, and Linked NHS Health Records (spanning GP, hospital, medication, imaging, and cancer registry data from England, Scotland, and Wales). New data is released into the TRE every three months. A Clinical Research Recruitment Platform enables researchers to re-contact eligible participants for follow-on translational studies. Supporting engagement programmes include the Community Champions Programme (volunteer outreach for diversity) and the Early Adopters Programme (co-design researchers and ambassadors).

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Trusted Research Environment (TRE) A secure cloud-based computing environment hosted on DNAnexus where approved registered researchers access and analyse de-identified participant data (questionnaires, genetic, clinic measurements, NHS records) with built-in data preparation and analysis tools and colleague collaboration capabilities.
• Baseline Health Questionnaire An online questionnaire completed by participants covering lifestyle, past medical history, and family history used to build a detailed health profile alongside blood sample and clinic measurement data.
• Genetic Data (SNP Array) SNP (single nucleotide polymorphism) array genotyping on DNA extracted from participant blood samples, generating genotype data, imputed genotypes, genetic ancestry estimates, kinship and principal components, and genetic risk scores.
• Clinic Measurements Data Physical measurements taken at clinic appointments including blood pressure, pulse rate, height, weight and point-of-care lipid profile measurements (total, HDL, LDL cholesterol, and triglycerides).
• Linked NHS Health Records Anonymised health records linked from NHS England, NHS Scotland, NHS Wales, and HSC Northern Ireland, including hospital episodes, GP records, prescribed and dispensed medications, diagnostic imaging, death registrations, and up to 38 years of cancer registry data for participants in England.
• Clinical Research Recruitment Platform A translational research service enabling approved researchers to re-contact volunteers from the cohort for additional studies, with Our Future Health sending invitations to eligible participants on behalf of researchers before direct researcher contact.
• Community Champions Programme A volunteer network of community members who help Our Future Health reach under-represented groups (ethnic minorities, lower socio-economic groups, young adults), organising events, identifying engagement opportunities, and answering questions within their communities.
• Early Adopters Programme A programme bringing together researchers from diverse disciplines, including Research Scholars (working directly with Our Future Health data and co-designing products) and Research Ambassadors (senior research leaders advocating within the research community), with an SME Early Adopter track offering discounted data access.

Quantifiable outcome

• Largest ever number of participants from under-represented groups in a UK health research programme
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers6 records

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles5 records

Technology focussed Yes

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration7 records

Feature4 records

Partnerships

24 partnerships are on record, tiered core.

• NHS (England, Scotland, Wales, and HSC)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerThe NHS is a core partner in Our Future Health. The programme operates in partnership with NHS England, NHS Scotland, NHS Wales, and Health and Social Care (HSC) in Northern Ireland. NHS DigiTrials sends invitation letters to NHS patients, and NHS health records are linked to participant data.
• LifeArccoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerLifeArc is a charity partner contributing expertise and funding to help set up and deliver the Our Future Health programme. Also partnering on dementia research initiatives including the Davos Alzheimer's Collaborative global strategy.
• WellcomecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerWellcome is a charity partner providing funding and expertise to support the Our Future Health research programme.
• Alzheimer's Research UKcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCharity partner focused on dementia research contributing to the programme and associated diversity initiatives.
• Alzheimer's SocietycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCharity partner contributing to dementia research and health data initiatives through Our Future Health.
• AstraZenecacoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerIndustry partner providing pharmaceutical expertise and part of the funding needed to set up and deliver the programme. Prof Sir Mene Pangalos from AstraZeneca serves as a keynote speaker at ELRIG Drug Discovery 2026.
• GlaxoSmithKline (GSK)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerIndustry partner contributing pharmaceutical expertise and funding to the programme. Dr Anne Phelan from GSK serves as a keynote speaker at ELRIG Drug Discovery 2026.
• Cancer Research UKcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerLeading cancer research charity partner supporting the programme with expertise and funding.
• British Heart FoundationcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCharity partner focused on cardiovascular health research contributing to Our Future Health.
• Diabetes UKcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCharity partner supporting diabetes research through Our Future Health.
• AmgencoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerIndustry partner providing biotechnology and pharmaceutical expertise.
• RochecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerIndustry partner contributing pharmaceutical research expertise and funding.
• PfizercoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerIndustry partner providing pharmaceutical research expertise and part of the programme funding.
• NovartiscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerIndustry partner contributing pharmaceutical expertise and funding.
• IlluminacoreTechnology or IntegrationTechnology partner providing genetic sequencing and genotyping technology expertise for the programme's DNA analysis.
• BootscoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorPharmacy partner raising awareness of Our Future Health and allowing participants to book appointments at selected Boots stores across the UK. Boots does not receive participant health data.
• NHS Blood and TransplantcoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorPartnership allowing blood donors to join Our Future Health at donation sessions, with samples collected alongside regular donations. NHSBT records are flagged for consenting donors.
• UK BiobankcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerUK Biobank is one of three approved research projects receiving NHS GP patient data sharing. Both are part of the UK Government's initiative to enable researchers to access anonymised GP records for health research.
• Genomics EnglandcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerGenomics England's 100,000 Genomes Project is one of three approved research projects receiving NHS GP patient data sharing, alongside UK Biobank and Our Future Health.
• Davos Alzheimer's CollaborativecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerOur Future Health is partnering with the Davos Alzheimer's Collaborative on a new 2026 strategy to embed diversity in global dementia research, addressing the stark data gap where 90% of GWAS data comes from European ancestry populations.
• Alzheimer's Disease Data InitiativecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership funded by the Gates Foundation working with Our Future Health and LifeArc to develop lower-cost diagnostics such as finger-prick blood tests and AI-driven voice analysis tools for dementia research.
• DNAnexuscoreTechnology or IntegrationThird-party platform provider hosting the Our Future Health Trusted Research Environment for secure researcher access to de-identified data.
• Additional Charity PartnerscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerAction Against Age-related Macular Degeneration, Action for ME, Arthritis UK, Asthma + Lung UK, Blood Cancer UK, Brain Tumour Research, Breast Cancer Now, Chest Heart and Stroke Scotland, DEBRA, Fight For Sight, Kidney Research UK, Macular Society, MQ, Pancreatic Cancer UK, Parkinson's UK, Prostate Cancer Research, Prostate Cancer UK, Rosetrees, Royal Osteoporosis Society, Stroke Association, Tinnitus UK, World Cancer Research Fund.
• Additional Industry PartnerscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerAlnylam, Biogen, Boehringer Ingelheim, Janssen Research & Development (Johnson & Johnson Innovation), MSD, Novo Nordisk, Randox Laboratories, Regeneron Genetics Center, Thermo Fisher Scientific.

Scale indicators8 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• BioBank Japan: Large-scale Japanese population cohort of 200,000+ participants with DNA, serum, and linked medical records. Comparable in mission to build a national genomic resource for disease research with pharma and academic data access.
• Genomics England: UK Government-funded genomics initiative operating the 100,000 Genomes Project. Directly comparable as a UK population genomics programme with NHS partnership, similar governance and ethics framework, and overlapping pharmaceutical and academic research customer base.
• UK Biobank: UK's flagship population health research cohort with ~500,000 participants and deep phenotyping/genotyping. Most directly comparable cohort to Our Future Health in mission, NHS integration, and academic/pharma customer base — explicitly partnered with Our Future Health and Genomics England for NHS GP data sharing.
• deCODE genetics (Amgen): Iceland-based population genomics company now owned by Amgen, with whole-genome sequencing of a large fraction of the Icelandic population. Comparable as a population-scale genomics resource serving pharma R&D and academic research with deeply linked health records.
• All of Us Research Program (NIH): US NIH programme aiming to enrol 1M+ participants with genetic, EHR, and lifestyle data. Closest international analogue to Our Future Health in scale ambition, diversity focus, and researcher access model via a secure data platform.
• Million Veteran Program (US VA): US Veterans Affairs genomic cohort of 900,000+ participants linking genotypes to VA electronic health records. Comparable in scale ambition, EHR linkage, and researcher-access governance model.
• FinnGen: Public-private Finnish biobank study combining genotype data from 500K+ participants with national health records. Comparable as a national-scale genomic cohort with industry funding and recurrent data releases serving pharma and academic researchers.
• China Kadoorie Biobank: Prospective cohort of 500,000+ Chinese adults with genetic data, physical measures and linkage to health records. Comparable as a large-scale, longitudinal population biobank with recurring data releases to academic and commercial researchers.
• Canadian Partnership for Tomorrow's Health (CanPath): Canada's largest population health research platform linking 300,000+ participants to health outcomes and biosamples. Comparable in mission, cohort build-out, and academic/commercial researcher access framework.

Emerging players

• Generation Scotland: Scottish family-based genetic epidemiology cohort with ~24,000 participants and linkage to NHS Scotland records. Comparable as a UK NHS-linked genetic cohort, but smaller in scale and focused on family structures.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks7 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

Compliance6 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles5 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Our Future Health