ARC launches Motherlabs Oxford to support city’s growing life sciences spin-out ecosystem
ARC has launched Motherlabs Oxford, a new life sciences accelerator space at its ARC Oxford Campus, designed to support the next generation of spinouts and early-stage companies emerging from the city’s world-leading research base.
Oxford’s spin-out ecosystem has expanded rapidly over the past decade. An analyses by Onward* found that the number of companies formed from Oxford University research has increased by 166%, alongside a 687% rise in capital raised underlining growing demand for specialist space that can support companies at the earliest stages of growth.
Opening in June 2026, Motherlabs Oxford will provide CL2 laboratories, ranging from 800 to 1,200 SQF, fully fitted and ready to move into, with dedicated write-up space and access to critical shared infrastructure.
Following ARC’s industry first research on neuroinclusive lab design, Motherlabs Oxford has been designed to incorporate neuroinclusive features to ensure the lab environment nurtures creativity, collaboration and scientific problem-solving, supporting Oxford based founders as they move from research to commercial impact.
Companies will also benefit from shared facilities and specialist lab support services, including equipment sterilisation and clinical waste management, reducing operational overheads and allowing teams to focus on advancing their science.
Sebastian Johnson, Director of Ecosystems at ARC, said: “Oxford has an extraordinary track record of turning research into impact, but access to the right space at the right time remains critical. By launching Motherlabs Oxford, we’re giving early-stage companies the infrastructure they need to stay in the city, grow with confidence, and focus on translating breakthrough science.”
Motherlabs Oxford will be based at ARC Oxford, which is already home to a thriving and diverse ecosystem of over 30 science and innovation-based organisations including OMass Therapeutics, FluoRok, Perspectum and Ivy Farm.
The announcement was made at Founders & Funders, a registered foundation supporting translational research and fostering science entrepreneurship through a highly curated community of founders and investors. To mark the launch, The Lamb and Flag was lit up pink for the evening, celebrating the expansion of the Motherlabs community in Oxford.
Michael Collyer from Founders & Funders added: “For founders, ready-to-use lab space is the difference between talking about a company and actually building one. Motherlabs Oxford at ARC cuts through the usual delays around space and setup, so teams can focus on the science and momentum. That is exactly the kind of infrastructure Oxford needs more of it we want to see more research turn into real, scalable ventures.”
The launch of Motherlabs Oxford follows the success of Motherlabs at ARC’s West London Campus, which has seen the space double in size since opening, with Motherlabs members including Sania Therapeutics, Kesmalea Therapeutics and Epsilogen, underlining strong demand for high-quality, move-in-ready laboratory space for early-stage life sciences businesses.
ARC Oxford is part of ARC’s network of clusters, including Harwell Science and Innovation Campus, ARC West London and ARC Uxbridge. Together these locations offer ARC and Motherlabs members unrivalled access to collaboration opportunities benefiting from close proximity to world-class research hospitals, and the nationally significant research facilities based at Harwell.
ARC’s campuses were also recently accredited with the Workspace of the Year title at the Hustle Awards, recognising ARC’s strong focus on inclusivity and its commitment to reimagining how science and real estate intersect fostering collaboration and growth while prioritising accessibility and its member organisation’s needs.
