Our history
Since the 1980s, we’ve been focused on translational science. It started with technology transfer services for the Medical Research Council (MRC) – something we still do today alongside providing scientific support, advice and funding.
The sale of a portion of our royalties in the cancer drug Keytruda® (pembrolizumab) gave us financial independence and our status as a ‘self-funded’ medical research charity.
Today, we use the returns from our investment portfolio and a few additional sources of income to fund everything we do.
Timeline
Our work started as the Medical Research Council (MRC) Liaison Office
Established as a charity and a company limited by guarantee – MRC Collaborative Centre
Changed our name to Medical Research Council Technology
Joined a drug discovery collaboration, the Dementia Consortium, with Alzheimer’s Research UK for serious diseases
MRC Technology officially rebranded as LifeArc
Our Philanthropic Fund and Seed Fund launched
We sold a portion of our royalty interest in the cancer drug, Keytruda® (pembrolizumab)
Provided more than £27 million to fund the search for new medicines and diagnostics to tackle COVID-19
New strategy, ‘Making life science life changing’ outlined
Our first Translational Challenges – Chronic Respiratory Infection and Motor Neuron Disease – announced
Our 3 Global Health Translational Challenges and our Rare Disease Translational Challenge launched, our final challenge, Childhood Cancer, was announced
Want to know more about our vision and strategy?
Latest news
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LifeArc launches £40m research centres that will unlock new tests, treatments and cures for people living with rare diseases
Read more: LifeArc launches £40m research centres that will unlock new tests, treatments and cures for people living with rare diseases -
First-of-a-kind plan announced to get more children access to cutting-edge, proven gene therapy treatments for rare diseases
Read more: First-of-a-kind plan announced to get more children access to cutting-edge, proven gene therapy treatments for rare diseases -
New £6.2m partnership will help to eliminate a deadly disease affecting children and vulnerable people in Kenya
Read more: New £6.2m partnership will help to eliminate a deadly disease affecting children and vulnerable people in Kenya