LIFEARC
Formerly known as MRC Technology, LifeArc is a British medical research charity that provides intellectual property commercialisation, early-stage drug discovery, and antibody humanisation services for academic and pharmaceutical organisations.
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Cash
£12m
+39.7% highest in 3 filed years
Net assets
£1.7bn
+5.8% highest in 3 filed years
Employees
368
+6.7% highest in 3 filed years
Profit before tax
—
Period ending 2025-12-31
Net assets
3-year trend · vs Health Care median
Accounts
3-year trend · Δ = latest vs prior filed period · latest reflected 2025-12-31
| Metric | Trend | 2023-12-31 | 2024-12-31 | 2025-12-31 | Δ vs prior |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Turnover | £141,321,000 | £182,647,000 | £74,578,000 | -59.2% | |
| Operating profit | — | — | — | — | |
| Profit before tax | — | — | — | — | |
| Net profit | £199,119,000 | £221,482,000 | £92,899,000 | -58.1% | |
| Cash | £6,815,000 | £8,462,000 | £11,825,000 | +39.7% | |
| Total assets less current liabilities | £1,386,274,000 | £1,607,835,000 | £1,700,734,000 | +5.8% | |
| Net assets | £1,385,478,000 | £1,606,960,000 | £1,699,859,000 | +5.8% | |
| Equity | £1,385,478,000 | £1,606,960,000 | £1,699,859,000 | +5.8% | |
| Average employees | 290 | 345 | 368 | +6.7% | |
| Wages | £22,291,000 | £28,136,000 | £31,269,000 | +11.1% | |
| Directors' remuneration | £417,514 | £330,910 | £685,382 | +107.1% |
Values shown as filed in the company's annual accounts. — indicates the figure wasn't present under that line item in that period. The Δ column is the change from the prior filed period as a percentage of |prior|; lines a company doesn't report show —. About these numbers
Ratios
Computed from the line items above — sparklines read oldest → newest
| Ratio | Trend | 2023-12-31 | 2024-12-31 | 2025-12-31 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Net margin | 140.9% | 121.3% | 124.6% | |
| Current ratio | 9.10x | 9.65x | 12.71x |
Margins divide P&L lines by turnover. Gearing is liabilities over total assets. Current ratio is current assets over creditors falling due within one year. Interest cover is operating profit over absolute finance costs. Sector-distribution context coming next.
Name history
Renamed 2 times since incorporation
- LIFEARC 2017-06-12 → present
- MEDICAL RESEARCH COUNCIL TECHNOLOGY 1999-12-23 → 2017-06-12
- MRC COLLABORATIVE CENTRE 1992-03-18 → 1999-12-23
Audit & accounting basis
- Accounting basis
- FRS 102
- Reporting scope
- Standalone (parent only)
- Auditor
- Moore Kingston Smith LLP
- Audit opinion
- Unqualified (clean)
- Going concern
- Affirmed
“In auditing the financial statements, we have concluded that the trustees' use of the going concern basis of accounting in the preparation of the financial statements is appropriate. Based on the work we have performed, we have not identified any material uncertainties relating to events or conditions that, individually or collectively, may cast significant doubt on the charitable company's ability to continue as a going concern for a period of at least twelve months from when the financial statements are authorised for issue.”
Significant events
- “This year saw the approval of Gomekli, developed by SpringWorks Therapeutics, a company we co-founded, for the rare genetic disorder neurofibromatosis.”
- “This year saw recruitment ramping up for Bio-Hermes-002, a trial we co-fund, to explore the potential of a finger prick-based test for the earlier detection of Alzheimer's disease.”
- “We made important steps in our relocation projects for both London- and Edinburgh-based staff. Our upcoming move to a new building in Judd Street will provide a centre of excellence in the heart of London's Knowledge Quarter...”
- “LifeArc provided critical funds to enable the first-in-human trial [for Hunter syndrome gene therapy].”
- “EU and US approvals granted for the drug Gomekli® to treat people with rare disease neurofibromatosis - the drug, which was previously shelved, was rescued by SpringWorks Therapeutics with founding investment from LifeArc”
- “Since 31 December 2025, the value of LifeArc's investment portfolio (excluding LifeArc Ventures) has increased by £27.4 million as at 31 May 2026 as a result of £57.9 million gains and £6.7 million income, offset by £37.3 million of net disposals.”
Auditor, going-concern and subsidiary information is drawn from the narrative of the latest annual accounts. About these numbers
People
14 active · 52 resigned
| Name | Role | Appointed | Born | Nationality |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| OWENS, Matthew Allen | Secretary | 2026-02-24 | — | — |
| BARRELL, Sam, Dr | Director | 2024-11-28 | Feb 1968 | British |
| COOPER, Teresa, Dr | Director | 2023-06-27 | Nov 1959 | British |
| DAVÉ, Pankaj Shashikant | Director | 2026-03-17 | Jan 1956 | British |
| GILHAM, Ian David, Dr | Director | 2021-10-21 | Mar 1960 | British |
| MAIKOVSKY, Stephane | Director | 2022-06-10 | Apr 1966 | British |
| MISTRY, Sameer, Dr | Director | 2023-06-27 | Feb 1976 | British |
| MORGAN, Daniel John | Director | 2017-11-20 | Jun 1969 | British |
| NICHOLSON, Ian James | Director | 2021-10-21 | Aug 1960 | British |
| NIOI, Paul | Director | 2026-03-17 | Apr 1978 | British |
| PISANI, Joanne Patra | Director | 2020-12-17 | Feb 1965 | British |
| ROBB, Lynne | Director | 2020-06-08 | Nov 1963 | British |
| WALLCRAFT, Susan Jean | Director | 2021-10-21 | Apr 1966 | British |
| ZAHN, David | Director | 2019-08-15 | Dec 1970 | British,American |
Show 52 resigned officers
| Name | Role | Appointed | Resigned |
|---|---|---|---|
| BLISS, Edward Robert Clegg | Secretary | 2015-04-15 | 2023-09-01 |
| CHAMBERS, Mark Richard | Secretary | 2025-09-12 | 2026-02-24 |
| COPSEY, David Neil, Dr | Secretary | 1992-03-18 | 1993-03-12 |
| COPSEY, David Neil, Dr | Secretary | — | 1996-04-26 |
| DAVIDSON, Rachael Jennifer | Secretary | 2023-11-20 | 2025-06-27 |
| ELDRIDGE, Peter Ronald | Secretary | 1996-04-26 | 2012-04-11 |
| FISHER, Jane Susan, Dr | Secretary | 2012-04-10 | 2013-04-26 |
| LASIK, Janusz | Secretary | 2025-06-27 | 2025-09-12 |
| NIXON, Anthony Michael | Secretary | — | 1994-01-13 |
| WILKINSON, Erica | Secretary | 2013-04-26 | 2015-01-30 |
| BAILLIE, Iain Cameron | Director | 1993-09-07 | 1999-11-01 |
| BAUMAN, Robert Patten | Director | — | 1995-06-28 |
| BROOKS, Michael James | Director | 2006-10-11 | 2016-11-17 |
| BURNAND, Aisling Maria | Director | 2017-11-20 | 2022-09-19 |
| BURTLES, Sally, Dr | Director | 2013-11-14 | 2021-07-15 |
| COHEN, Philip, Prof Sir | Director | 2012-06-28 | 2016-04-20 |
| COPSEY, David Neil, Dr | Director | 1992-03-18 | 1994-08-10 |
| DALRYMPLE, Michael Alexander, Dr | Director | 1998-09-07 | 2001-02-05 |
| DOHERTY, Annette Marian, Dr | Director | 2012-06-28 | 2018-11-30 |
| DUNSTAN, Diana Rosemary, Dr | Director | — | 1996-04-26 |
| EDWARDS, Mark Robert, Dr | Director | 2011-07-06 | 2016-11-17 |
| FLINT, Derek Thomas | Director | 2000-06-22 | 2006-07-31 |
| FODEN, Susan Elizabeth, Dr | Director | 2005-02-01 | 2006-11-27 |
| GERSKOWITCH, Vrolyr Paul, Dr | Director | 1996-04-26 | 1997-07-23 |
| GILMOUR, Roger Hugh, Doctor | Director | — | 1999-11-01 |
| HENDERSON, Richard, Dr | Director | 1999-11-01 | 2006-09-29 |
| HENTSCHEL, Christopher Clive Gabriel, Dr | Director | 1992-03-18 | — |
| HENTSCHEL, Christopher Clive Gabriel, Dr | Director | — | 1994-08-10 |
| HUGHES, Les, Dr | Director | 2016-03-01 | 2022-11-11 |
| JEANS, David John | Director | 2009-01-05 | 2014-11-13 |
| KEEN, Peter | Director | 2013-02-05 | 2021-07-15 |
| LEE, Melanie Georgina, Dr | Director | 2019-11-14 | 2023-10-01 |
| MAKAREM, Rima, Dr | Director | 2023-06-27 | 2025-02-08 |
| MANN, Jessica Maria, Dr | Director | 2017-11-20 | 2019-09-02 |
| MCLAREN, Diane Jaqualine, Dr | Director | 1999-11-01 | 2004-04-15 |
| MELLETT, Diane | Director | 2007-06-11 | 2014-06-19 |
| MERCIECA, Andrew Paul | Director | 2019-11-14 | 2021-12-31 |
| MILLAR, Robert Peter, Professor | Director | 2000-06-22 | 2011-07-20 |
| MULKEEN, Declan, Dr | Director | 2008-08-26 | 2019-12-17 |
| MUSSENDEN, Paul Justin | Director | 2014-06-19 | 2021-12-14 |
| OWEN, David Andrew Arlwydd, Dr | Director | — | 2001-02-05 |
| PELHAM, Hugh Reginald Brentnall, Dr | Director | 2006-10-11 | 2012-06-28 |
| QUYSNER, David William | Director | 2004-09-14 | 2013-11-14 |
| ROMANOS, Mike, Dr | Director | 2016-03-01 | 2023-03-22 |
| SARNA, Gurcharan Singh, Dr | Director | 2004-07-14 | 2008-08-01 |
| SKEHEL, John James, Sir | Director | — | 2006-09-29 |
| SKIDMORE, Ian Frederick, Dr | Director | 2007-06-11 | 2015-11-12 |
| SMERDON, Stephen John, Doctor | Director | 2006-10-11 | 2012-06-28 |
| STAGEMAN, John Frederick, Dr | Director | 2014-11-13 | 2022-04-04 |
| SWORD, Ian Pollock, Dr | Director | 1995-06-05 | 1998-07-31 |
| VISSCHER, Stephen | Director | 2016-11-17 | 2020-09-24 |
| WINTERTON, Nicholas Hugh | Director | 1996-07-30 | 2009-01-05 |
Ownership
Persons with significant control
Filing timeline
Last 20 of 229 total filings
| Date | Type | Category | Description | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026-07-12 | AA | accounts | Accounts with accounts type full | |
| 2026-07-03 | TM01 | officers | Termination director company with name termination date | |
| 2026-04-10 | AP01 | officers | Appoint person director company with name date | |
| 2026-04-10 | AP01 | officers | Appoint person director company with name date | |
| 2026-02-26 | CS01 | confirmation-statement | Confirmation statement with no updates | |
| 2026-02-24 | AP03 | officers | Appoint person secretary company with name date | |
| 2026-02-24 | TM02 | officers | Termination secretary company with name termination date | |
| 2025-09-22 | AP03 | officers | Appoint person secretary company with name date | |
| 2025-09-18 | TM02 | officers | Termination secretary company with name termination date | |
| 2025-08-13 | AA | accounts | Accounts with accounts type full | |
| 2025-07-08 | AP03 | officers | Appoint person secretary company with name date | |
| 2025-07-04 | TM02 | officers | Termination secretary company with name termination date | |
| 2025-02-18 | CS01 | confirmation-statement | Confirmation statement with no updates | |
| 2025-02-18 | CH01 | officers | Change person director company with change date | |
| 2025-02-10 | TM01 | officers | Termination director company with name termination date | |
| 2024-12-06 | AP01 | officers | Appoint person director company with name date | |
| 2024-07-17 | AA | accounts | Accounts with accounts type full | |
| 2024-02-29 | CS01 | confirmation-statement | Confirmation statement with no updates | |
| 2023-11-20 | AP03 | officers | Appoint person secretary company with name date | |
| 2023-10-12 | TM01 | officers | Termination director company with name termination date |
Public-record activity
Raw counts from Companies House — last 12–24 months
- Filings
- 10
- Capital events
- 0
- Officers appointed
- 3
- Officers resigned
- 2
last 12 months
last 24 months
last 12 months
last 12 months
Direct counts from the register. No score, no rating — see the Filing timeline for the underlying events.