News | March 2026
Updates and opportunities from our spinouts and pipeline
Queen Mary Innovation » News » February 2026
The Russell Group recently pledged more support for life science spinouts to help them secure £5bn in external investment in 2030, part of a commitment to building a healthier future for the UK.
Our spinouts and research were on full display at Queen Mary’s Night of Science and Engineering. By uniting industry leaders, funders, policymakers, and researchers, we create a dynamic space to accelerate innovation, driving forward partnerships that support Britain’s industrial strategy. It’s why we hold the highest possible ratings for research partnerships, IP and commercialisation, and public and community engagement in the government’s measure of how universities turn research into real-world benefit.
Innovation means faster diagnosis, better treatment, and a cleaner planet; it creates new career opportunities and drives economic growth; and it’s at the heart of our mission to create meaningful change locally and globally.
Dr Peter Thorpe, QMI Director, Senior Lecturer, Deputy Dean and Group leader at Queen Mary University of London.
Upcoming investor event
Join us for our third annual investor showcase on 14th May. Discover investable spinouts, pre-spinouts and social ventures creating a more sustainable planet. From next generation batteries to plastic free packaging, you will hear from founders on the pathway to investment who are developing commercial solutions to major environmental challenges. The pitches will be followed by networking with investors, founders and technology specialists from across Queen Mary’s innovation ecosystem, including AI and MedTech.
This event is for potential investors or commercial partners. Email qmi-events@qmul.ac.uk to learn more.
Consulting opportunity
Adviser needed for market validation. Prof Lei Su and Dr Xuechun Wang have invented a portable optical sensor which uses machine learning to give vineyards and soft fruit farms instant, accurate ripeness data, removing the need for manual sampling and slow destructive testing. We are looking for a business adviser with expertise in Agritech to support our market validation work.
Contact Dr Huan Wang to learn more.
Latest from our spinouts
Elcella among the winners of Mintel’s Most Innovative products. Elcella is the world’s first product proven to release your body’s own appetite regulating hormones. The Mintel award recognises innovations that shape the direction of their sector and reflect a deeper understanding of where consumers are headed. Founded by Dr Madusha Peiris and Dr Rubina Aktar, Elcella is growing fast and expanding into Europe and North America. The team are looking to establish new clinical partnerships as part of the Harley Street Health District.
Dragonfly AI shortlisted for Best Technology Innovation at the World Food Innovation Awards. Dragonfly AI is a biological algorithm trusted by top brands to test content by predicting attention, memory, and emotion. The award nomination recognises their role in helping Hovis stand out on shop shelves. Co-founded by Dr Hamit Soyel, Dragonfly AI recently raised £5m Series A investment and are looking for partners to scale further.
Learn more about Dragonfly AI.
ReFleks shortlisted for Best Startup at the SEHTA Healthcare Business Awards. Dr Suzanne Eldridge and Prof Francesco Dell’Accio created a novel way of fixing joint damage to prevent future osteoarthritis which doesn’t require open surgery, is significantly cheaper than surgery, and can be done quickly with fewer complications.
RoEx make major breakthrough. Founded by Dr David Ronan, RoEx is democratising professional music creation by automating the expensive technical barriers artists face. With backing from Innovate UK and Google, RoEx’s newest breakthrough replaces fixed settings with continuous adaptation, recognising which instruments are most important at any moment and automatically adjusting volume, equalisation, and compression accordingly. The team are refining the technology for an imminent release.
Industry opportunities
Overcoming microplastics. Dr Vahitha Abdul Salam spoke at The Economist Impact Sustainability Week about the health implications of microplastics. Microplastics are a complex challenge, demanding collaboration across science, industry, and policymakers.
Connect with Dr Jemma Trick to discuss partnering with Queen Mary’s Faculty of Medicine and Dentistry.
Queen Mary will be attending The Economist Impact Nuclear Summit on 15th April. Queen Mary is advancing nuclear science through world-leading research in detection, simulation, AI, and medical applications, delivering safe, sustainable, and innovative solutions across the nuclear lifecycle.
Contact Dr Joanne Chamberlain to discuss partnering with Queen Mary’s Faculty of Science and Engineering.
Tackling pharma’s carbon footprint. Prof Andrew Livingston is working with industry partners to develop and scale bio-based solvents. Conventional fossil-derived solvents are a vital component of medicine manufacturing but come with an implicit carbon burden attached. The biggest challenge to bio-based alternatives is achieving the high purity and moisture control needed for making medicines. The LivingstonLab works with industry to develop new membranes for separating molecules more effectively than what is currently possible.
Contact Dr Joanne Chamberlain to discuss partnering with Queen Mary’s Faculty of Science and Engineering.