King's College London

The visit formed part of the 300^th anniversary of Guy’s Hospital, taking place at Guy’s Cancer Centre.

His Majesty King Charles III, who is Royal Patron of Kings College London, met with senior leadership from King’s, leading academics and PhD students pushing the boundaries of cancer research – from diagnosis to treatment.

Scientists from across disciplines at King’s – from data scientists to geneticists – work within the Innovation Hub to embed cutting-edge cancer research and access to clinical trials directly into patient care. Positioned directly above a chemotherapy village the floor below, researchers can analyse patient samples in real-time. This means each patient’s cancer can be precisely understood to provide the most effective therapy – a tailored journey from biopsy to treatment. The work at the Hub reflects King’s long-term ambition to accelerate innovation in health and life sciences, as outlined in Strategy 2030. Upon arrival at Guy’s Cancer Centre, His Majesty was met by Lord Simon Stevens, Chair of Council, King’s College London, who accompanied delegates to the Innovation Hub.

Presenting the Innovation Hub to His Majesty was Professor Shitij Kapur, Vice-Chancellor & President of King’s and Professor Sheila Singh, Head of the Comprehensive Cancer Centre and Joint Head of the School of Cancer & Pharmaceutical Sciences.

Professor Shitij Kapur, Vice-Chancellor & President of King’s, said: “It was an honour to welcome His Majesty to the Innovation Hub. We were privileged to highlight the incredible research from scientists within the Innovation Hub, from across disciplines, all dedicated to tackling cancer and improving the lives of patients. The Innovation Hub is a true example of the impact that can be fostered through collaboration, from data scientists analysing trends in cancer diagnoses, to geneticists developing precise drugs to tailor individualised therapies – alongside the wider, historic collaboration between King’s and Guy’s Hospital, forged over hundreds of years. To demonstrate this with His Royal Highness, a patron of our university, was a very proud moment.”

Within the Hub, Professor Sheeba Irshad, explained to His Majesty how she is developing a new type of immunotherapy treatment for breast cancers resistant to traditional chemo and radiotherapy. Accompanied by PhD research students Esme Carpenter and Helen Kakkassery, His Majesty was shown microscopic images of immune cells within tumours, which are targeted by immunotherapy treatment.

Scientists within the Innovation Hub are also using advanced data science and AI to analyse large datasets – helping discover trends, improve accuracy of diagnoses and detect new targets for drugs. Showcasing this technology, Professor Anita Grigoriadis explained how she is using AI to guide drug discovery. Professor Grigoriadis, who is founder of Pharos AI, software which is transforming cancer care by unlocking decades of NHS cancer data, also discussed the impact the Innovation Hub is having on industry and the wider economy. She was joined by PhD student researcher Greg Verghese to demonstrate a machine which can provide genetic data on a patient’s sample to His Majesty.

Concluding the Innovation Hub tour, His Majesty was presented a type of robot used in urological surgery by Professor Ben Challacombe, Consultant Urological Surgeon. The Da Vinci Surgical System enables smaller and more precise incisions during surgery, helping to reduced patient recovery time. The robot highlighted advances in the MedTech sector taking place at Guy’s Hospital and King’s College London.

Within the hospital’s Chemotherapy Village, His Majesty met the very patients who are being treated at the Cancer Centre and who could benefit from discoveries by scientists based at the Innovation Hub.

The visit was commemorated by plaque being unveiled by His Majesty in the Cancer Centre’s entrance lobby. Those in attendance included Professor Graham Lord, Senior Vice-President (Health & Life Sciences), and Executive Director of King’s Health Partners, Professor Ajay Shah, Executive Dean, Faculty of Life Sciences & Medicine, and Professor Nicki Cohen, Dean of Medical Education.

Professor Graham Lord said: “The Innovation Hub is part of King’s College London’s diverse cancer research ecosystem, which spans fundamental science, clinical trials, and improving patient care – underpinned by world-class teaching, internationally-recognised research and partnerships across the NHS, government and industry.

“With support from organisations like Breast Cancer Now, Cancer Research UK, and Guy’s Cancer Charity, including funding for essential training roles, the Innovation Hub improves care for patients today while training the next generation of experts. We were enormously proud to demonstrate the impact of the Innovation Hub to His Majesty the King during the 300^th anniversary celebrations of Guy’s Hospital.”