Institute of Genetics and Cancer

Name

Institute of Genetics and Cancer

Legal name

Institute of Genetics and Cancer

Website

https://institute-genetics-cancer.ed.ac.uk

Company type

Private

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

The Institute of Genetics and Cancer (IGC) is a University of Edinburgh research institute that translates genetics and cancer discovery science into therapies and clinical applications through shared research facilities, drug discovery platforms, and NHS-linked clinical trials in Scotland.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Academic Biomedical Research

NAICS

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

SIC

Services-Commercial Physical & Biological Research (8731), Services-Medical Laboratories (8071), In Vitro & In Vivo Diagnostic Substances (2835)

akta.pro primary industry

Biomedical Sciences & Medical Research Institutes (University-Based) (EDAHAGAI)

akta.pro secondary industries

Genetic & Genomic Testing (germline, somatic, carrier, pharmacogenomics) (HLAAALAD), Transcriptomics & Gene Expression Profiling Services (HLAGANAE), Genomic & Multi-Omic Biomarkers (NGS panels, transcriptomics, proteomics, metabolomics) (HLAAAMAJ), Molecular Diagnostics & Genomics Laboratories (HLAFAMAE)

Keywords

• Genetics research
• Cancer research
• Biomedical genomics
• Drug discovery
• Clinical trials

Headquarters

HQ city

Edinburgh

HQ country

United Kingdom

HQ region

Europe

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Research Grants: Funded by major research councils including Medical Research Council (MRC), UK Research and Innovation (UKRI), Cancer Research UK, and government bodies
2. Charitable Donations: Philanthropic funding through University of Edinburgh Development Trust for specific research funds (Nicola Murray Centre, ERIC Fund, ME/CFS research, etc.)
3. Clinical Trials: Revenue from clinical trials partnerships with NHS and pharmaceutical collaborations

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

The Institute of Genetics and Cancer (IGC) is an academic research institute within the University of Edinburgh's College of Medicine & Veterinary Medicine. It conducts multidisciplinary research spanning biochemistry, cell and molecular biology, multi-omics, genetics, data science, AI, and clinical studies, translating genetic and cancer discoveries into therapeutic opportunities. It operates shared scientific infrastructure including advanced imaging, sequencing, bioinformatics, flow cytometry, mass spectrometry, drug discovery, and zebrafish screening facilities, alongside the Cancer Research UK Scotland Centre and clinical trials infrastructure.

Product overview

The Institute of Genetics and Cancer is a research institute within the University of Edinburgh's College of Medicine & Veterinary Medicine. Rather than a commercial product company, it operates as a multidisciplinary research center offering state-of-the-art scientific facilities and research services. The institute provides shared research infrastructure including Advanced Imaging Resource, Animal Models (Zebrafish), Bioinformatics Analysis Core, DNA Sequencing, Flow Cytometry, Genomic Data Analysis Centre, Histology, Mass Spectrometry, Genome Engineering, and HTPU Microarray Services. Innovation and translation facilities include Edinburgh Drug Discovery (EDD), Edinburgh Cancer Discovery Unit (ECDU), Edinburgh Experimental Cancer Medicine Centre (ECMC), and Zebrafish UK Screening Facility. The SENTINEL platform provides AI-powered proactive IBD care intelligence. Research is organized into five themes: Biomedical Genomics, Cell and Genome Biology, Disease Mechanisms, Therapy Discovery, and Epidemiology & Clinical Trials.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Edinburgh Drug Discovery (EDD) Drug discovery platform that translates research findings into therapeutic candidates for cancer and genetic diseases; serves academic researchers and pharmaceutical collaborators.
• Edinburgh Cancer Discovery Unit (ECDU) Early-phase cancer drug discovery and development unit focused on advancing oncology therapeutics; serves researchers and industry partners.
• Edinburgh Experimental Cancer Medicine Centre (ECMC) Early phase clinical trials centre enabling first-in-human studies in experimental cancer medicine; serves researchers, NHS clinicians, and pharmaceutical partners.
• SENTINEL AI-powered clinician-supervised platform for proactive inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) care, using predictive models for early disease detection and personalized treatment; serves gastroenterology clinicians and IBD patients.
• Cancer Research UK Scotland Centre Joint Edinburgh-Glasgow cancer research centre focused on colorectal, hepatobiliary, pancreatic, mesothelioma, brain tumours, and gynaecological cancers; supports 80+ research teams with translation of discovery science for patient benefit.
• HTPU Microarray Services Shared facility providing Reverse Phase Protein Arrays, Forward Phase Antibody Microarrays, nCounter Pro Analysis System, GeoMx Digital Spatial Profiler (DSP), and PamDx Kinase Profiling services; serves biomedical researchers.
• Bioinformatics Analysis Core Provides computational biology and bioinformatics support for data analysis in genetic and cancer research; serves academic researchers and clinical collaborators.
• Advanced Imaging Resource State-of-the-art imaging facility providing advanced microscopy and visualization services for biomedical researchers.
• DNA Sequencing Facility Offers DNA Sanger sequencing and other DNA analysis capabilities for researchers.
• Flow Cytometry Facility Cell sorting and analysis services including a 10x Facility for single-cell analysis; serves biomedical researchers.
• Genomic Data Analysis Centre (GDAC) Specialized genomics data analysis and interpretation services for large-scale genetic studies.
• Mass Spectrometry Proteomics and metabolomics analysis services using mass spectrometry technology; serves biomedical researchers.
• Genome Engineering CRISPR and other genome editing technologies and services for functional genomics research.
• Zebrafish UK Screening Facility In vivo drug screening using zebrafish models; serves researchers conducting preclinical therapeutic studies.
• Animal Models Includes Zebrafish facility and Bioresearch & Veterinary Services Central Transgenic Core for in vivo research models; serves researchers requiring animal model resources.
• Edinburgh CRUK Tissue Group Cancer Research UK-affiliated tissue bank and analysis services for cancer researchers.
• Edinburgh Cancer Informatics Programme Cancer-focused informatics and data science capabilities for research; serves oncology researchers.
• Glioma Cellular Genetics Resource Dedicated resource for brain tumour/glioma cellular genetics research; serves neuro-oncology researchers.
• Histology Tissue processing and histological analysis services for biomedical researchers.

Quantifiable outcome

• Established 2022 CRUK Scotland Centre translating discovery science into therapeutic opportunities
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers4 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature17 records

Partnerships

13 partnerships are on record, tiered core and secondary.

• Cancer Research UK Scotland CentrecoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2022Partnership between University of Edinburgh (Institute of Genetics and Cancer) and University of Glasgow (School of Cancer Sciences and CRUK Scotland Institute) established in 2022. Unifying mission to translate cutting-edge discoveries into therapeutic opportunities for the Scottish population. Led by Prof Charlie Gourley (Clinical Director) and Prof Owen Sansom (Scientific Director).
• Medical Research Council (MRC) Human Genetics UnitcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerMRC-funded research unit within IGC focused on human genetics research with multiple research groups
• Beatson West of Scotland Cancer CentrecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerOne of the two largest cancer treatment centres in Scotland, providing unprecedented access to patients for clinical research and trials
• Western General HospitalcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerOne of the two largest cancer treatment centres in Scotland, serving as IGC's primary clinical partner
• Edinburgh Drug Discovery (EDD)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerDrug discovery platform translating research into therapeutic candidates
• Edinburgh Cancer Discovery Unit (ECDU)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCancer therapeutic discovery unit within innovation and impact portfolio
• Edinburgh Experimental Cancer Medicine Centre (ECMC)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerEarly phase clinical trials centre enabling first-in-human studies
• Generation ScotlandcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerMajor population cohort study celebrating 20 years; provides large-scale genetic and health data for research
• Edinburgh NeurosciencesecondaryStrategic or Co-development PartnerCross-disciplinary neuroscience network collaborating on neurological aspects of genetic diseases
• MRC National Mouse Genetics NetworksecondaryStrategic or Co-development PartnerNational network providing mouse model resources for genetic research
• One Health Genomics EdinburghsecondaryStrategic or Co-development PartnerGenomics initiative connecting human and animal health research
• CRUK Brain Tumour Centre of ExcellencesecondaryStrategic or Co-development PartnerSpecialized centre focused on brain tumour research within Other Funded Centres
• University of GlasgowcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner university in CRUK Scotland Centre collaboration across more than 80 research teams

Scale indicators2 records

Recent moves5 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Broad incumbents

• European Molecular Biology Laboratory (EMBL): Intergovernmental research organisation in molecular life sciences with multiple sites across Europe. Comparable for its multi-disciplinary life science research and core facilities serving a broad scientific community.
• Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard: Large US-based institute focused on genomics, biomedical research, and disease biology. Comparable in scope of multi-omics and population genetics research, but operates at significantly larger scale and budget.
• Karolinska Institutet: Major Swedish medical university with extensive biomedical and cancer research portfolio. Comparable for university-based biomedical and clinical research at scale, though operating as a broader medical university rather than a single institute.

Direct peers

• Netherlands Cancer Institute (NKI): European cancer research institute combining basic and clinical research with on-site hospital. Comparable as an integrated academic cancer centre with drug discovery and clinical trial infrastructure.
• Cancer Research UK Cambridge Centre: CRUK-funded translational cancer research centre combining University of Cambridge research with clinical partnerships. Comparable as a CRUK-funded hub focused on translating discovery science into therapeutic opportunities.
• Francis Crick Institute: Large London-based biomedical research institute with multidisciplinary research spanning genetics, cancer biology, and clinical translation. Directly comparable as a UK academic research institute combining basic science with translational infrastructure.
• Wellcome Sanger Institute: Genome-focused research institute with deep expertise in genomics, single-cell biology, and large-scale cohort studies. Highly comparable for its multi-omics platforms and population-scale data assets.
• MRC Laboratory of Molecular Biology: MRC-funded research institute focused on molecular biology and biomedical discovery. Directly comparable as an MRC-affiliated research institute with emphasis on disease mechanisms and therapy discovery.
• The Institute of Cancer Research (ICR): UK-based cancer research institute with strong focus on translational science and drug discovery. Comparable as a UK cancer-focused academic research institute with emphasis on therapeutic discovery.
• CRUK Scotland Institute (formerly Beatson Institute): Cancer research institute in Glasgow that is a direct collaborator via the CRUK Scotland Centre. Comparable as a Scottish cancer-focused research institute and the IGC's joint partner in translational cancer research.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xbsky.app/profile/uoe-igc.bsky.social
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/institute-genetics-cancer

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles7 records

Subsidiaries3 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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M&A

Investments

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Frequently asked questions about Institute of Genetics and Cancer