Immunocore: a unique British success story
For this Q&A blog, BIA sat down with Annnelise Vuidepot, Chief Technology Officer at Immunocore, to find out about her journey with the company, from its inception to the present day.
Can you give us an overview of Immunocore 's journey as a company?
Immunocore is a biotech company based just south of Oxford, founded in 2000 as a spin-off from Oxford University. I joined on day one as a biochemist, and it’s been an incredible experience. Back then, we were building labs from scratch and developing a new platform of biologics—specifically, T cell receptor-based therapies—to target cancer cells with greater precision. Over the years, we’ve expanded from oncology into infectious and autoimmune diseases. However, our roots remain in that early vision.
What’s been the key to Immunocore’s success as an independent biotech?
Staying independent while growing from a startup to a commercial-stage company is no small feat. For us, it’s been about sticking to a science-driven vision, backed by a strong rationale and strategy. We’ve had experienced people in key roles—science, regulatory, funding—who’ve helped us navigate challenges. Sharing our story through platforms like the BIA is important to us because it shows other biotechs what’s possible with persistence and focus.
What were the early days like at Immunocore?
The early days were hands-on. I remember setting up the labs and working on this groundbreaking platform to target cancer cells more specifically than traditional therapies. We were a small team—about 15 people—driven by curiosity and a shared goal. It wasn’t glamorous, but it laid the foundation for everything that came after.
What makes Immunocore a unique British success story?
Many companies are founded in the UK. Some even grow into large organisations. Inevitably, though, they seem to relocate to America. What makes Immunocore different is that, though it has expanded its operations outside of the UK, it has remained in the country and remains very much a 'UK company' with international aspirations.
Can you highlight some of Immunocore’s scientific milestones?
One of our biggest breakthroughs has been developing T cell receptor (TCR) therapies that can zero in on cancer cells while minimizing damage to healthy ones. This precision reduces side effects—a game-changer for patients. It’s taken years of research, but seeing those first signs of efficacy in cancer patients was an emotional high point. It made every struggle worth it.
Growth always comes with challenges. What hurdles did Immunocore face?
Oh, plenty! We grew from 15 to 50 employees, which brought its own complexities. At one point, we were acquired by a German company, only to spin off again as Immunocore and Adaptimmune. There were tough times—like a three-year stretch with no real progress—that tested our resolve. But those setbacks taught us resilience and patience, which are critical in this field.
How has the UK life sciences ecosystem shaped Immunocore’s journey?
The UK ecosystem has evolved so much since we started. Back then, it was smaller, but now there’s an explosion of new companies. That growth is exciting, though I think we need more consolidation to speed up progress. Funding’s another piece—unlocking pension funds, for example, could be transformative for biotechs like us. We’ve been lucky to be part of this vibrant community.
What projects at Immunocore are you most excited about right now?
We’ve got some thrilling work in the pipeline—therapies for HIV, HBV, hepatitis B, and autoimmune diseases. The idea of a functional cure for HIV is incredibly motivating, and the autoimmune space is ripe with opportunity. These projects push us to keep innovating and designing next-generation molecules with even greater impact.
Where do you see Immunocore heading in the future?
Our goal is to keep expanding our pipeline—more tumour types, more autoimmune diseases, and beyond. We’re focused on creating therapies that don’t just treat but truly transform outcomes. It’s about building on our platform to tackle some of the toughest challenges in medicine.
Your role has evolved significantly over the years. What do you do now as CTO and UK site head?
I’ve gone from being a bench scientist to overseeing our technology strategy as CTO. As UK site head, I represent Immunocore externally and work to maintain a creative, innovative culture internally. It’s a privilege to guide the science and the team as we grow.
What advice would you give aspiring biotech entrepreneurs?
Be ready for the rollercoaster. Pioneering work is hard—there will be setbacks, like those three years we faced with no progress. Resilience and patience are key. I’d also say to see challenges as learning opportunities. That mindset has carried us through at Immunocore.