Promoting innovation across the cluster

The University and AstraZeneca are working together - and with many others - on a number of initiatives designed to strengthen Cambridge's life sciences cluster in the face of increasing global competition.

These include:

Innovate Cambridge

Launched in 2022, Innovate Cambridge is a locally-driven initiative to develop a compelling and inclusive vision and strategy for the region. Its purpose is to ensure that Cambridge remains the leading innovation ecosystem in Europe, championing the UK on the global stage and driving growth and tangible benefits for society.

The University of Cambridge and AstraZeneca are sponsors of Innovate Cambridge and senior leaders from both organisations are members of Innovate Cambridge’s Advisory Council, launched in March 2025 by Lord Vallance, Minister of State for Science, Research and Innovation and Oxford-Cambridge Innovation Champion.

The Advisory Council will guide Cambridge’s role in shaping frontier technologies such as AI, life sciences and quantum computing, and catalyse its potential to deliver substantial societal, environmental and economic benefits regionally and nationally.

The Cambridge x Manchester Innovation Partnership

To strengthen Cambridge’s role in the UK’s national innovation strategy, Innovate Cambridge is driving collaboration with other cities to deliver UK-wide innovation partnerships.

This includes a pioneering collaboration with Manchester - backed by £4.8 million of government funding - to harness the combined strengths of both universities and cities, and boost innovation and growth for the whole of the UK.

AstraZeneca is helping to accelerate this growth agenda with its presence in both regions.

Oxford-Cambridge Supercluster Board

AstraZeneca and the University of Cambridge were among six founding members of the Oxford-Cambridge Supercluster Board, which was set up to drive the region’s potential in support of the UK’s ambition to become a scientific superpower.

The Board's remit includes attracting investment, fostering public-private partnerships, developing talent, and shaping policy to establish the area as a global science and technology hub.

The Board now comprises more than 40 organisations, all with the same shared vision.

Research for the Supercluster has shown that the region has the potential to add up to £78 billion to the UK economy by 2035, forming a key part of the UK Government’s Plan for Change to kick-start economic growth.