27 April 2026

What is SC1 London?

SC1 London is a growing ecosystem of people, places and partners dedicated to world-leading innovation in health and life sciences, in south central London.  Dedicated to advancing health and life sciences innovation through research, collaboration, and partnership. The district aims to be a thriving health and life sciences innovation district that accelerates world-leading innovation, attracts investment, and improves lives. 

Founded by the organisations that make up King’s Health Partners (including Guy’s and St Thomas’ NHS Foundation Trust, King’s College Hospital NHS Foundation Trust, South London and Maudsley NHS Foundation Trust and King's College London) alongside Guy's & St Thomas' Foundation, and the boroughs of Lambeth and Southwark.

The district covers all of Lambeth and Southwark with innovation hot spots centred around three clusters focused on specific areas of medicine and technology:

  • SC1 MedTech Hub (Waterloo): Focused on biomedical engineering and healthcare technology;
  • SC1 BioMedical Hub (London Bridge): Focused on drug discovery and experimental medicine;
  • SC1 Mind and Body Hub (Denmark Hill): Focused on mental health and neuroscience.

The district was launched in late 2022 and will be publishing its new strategy in the spring and look forward to sharing this soon. 

What projects is SC1 London currently working on?

SC1 London is focused on driving forward initiatives that:

  • Support world class innovation across the district alongside inclusive economic growth that directly benefits the people, places, and communities across the district;
  • Attract, grow, and support health and life science companies across SC1 London; and
  • Create places that support innovation across the district and supporting future health and life sciences leaders to contribute to and benefit from inclusive growth.  

Our work is underpined by a cross-cutting focus on supporting enterprise & innovation, place, community and talent and networks.  This focus aims to support taking bold ideas from lab to life, promoting innovative ideas, research and development that will lead to better health.

How will SC1 London benefit staff, students, and residents of south London?

SC1 London is a partnership powered by its founding partners who all with a shared commitment to health equity. We work closely with our founding partners to ensure people working, living, and learning – the lifeblood of our district – is at the heart of our ambition.

Our plans include:

  • 20,000 high-quality jobs by 2030
  • creating opportunities for local residents, and tackle health inequalities in South London; and
  • supporting local, regional and national government priorities for health and life sciences, jobs and growth.  

We also hope to support the delivery over two million square feet of commercial, lab, and community space by 2030 - across projects such as the Snowsfields Quarter, Royal Street developments, and other major development projects.

Our upcoming strategy will set out our ambitious plans for the next two years, focused on building momentum impact and progress against our shared priories as a partnership. 

Where can readers find out more? 

Visit the SC1 London website or get in touch with the team on SC1London@kcl.ac.uk.