Bradford company listed among top 17 most promising biotech start-ups
A University of Bradford‑supported biotech start‑up has been named among the top 17 companies nationally to be selected for a flagship Innovate UK– funded programme supporting the future of medicines.
Hado Therapeutics, part of the University’s Enterprise Fellowship Programme, has secured a place on the LYVA Labs Future Medicines Accelerator, part of the Innovate UK Biomedical Catalyst Accelerator programme.
The programme is designed to fast‑track the UK’s most promising biotech ventures.
Dr Harsha Kantamneni, CEO and co‑founder of Hado Therapeutics and lecturer at University of Bradford, said: “To be shortlisted for the Innovate UK Biomedical Catalyst Accelerator – Future Medicines programme is prestigious. Drug development is a long journey. Embedding Hado through the University’s Enterprise Fellowship Programme and its Institute of Cancer Therapeutics has been transformative. The combination of scientific collaboration and support puts us in a strong position for sustainable growth.”
Dr Harsha Kantamneni, CEO and co‑founder of Hado Therapeutics, lecturer at University of Bradford. Picture credits: University of Bradford.
What is Hado?
Hado Therapeutics is developing novel dual‑targeting molecules designed to act across more than one disease pathway, increasing the likelihood of clinical success and addressing areas of high unmet medical need. Its current pipeline includes programmes targeting Parkinson’s disease and glioblastoma, an aggressive form of brain cancer, helping position both Hado and Bradford at the forefront of next‑generation therapeutics.
What is Enterprise Fellowship Programme?
The Enterprise Fellowship Programme supports academics and researchers to translate their ideas into commercially viable ventures while building the entrepreneurial capability required to take innovation beyond the lab. The programme forms part of the Bradford Renduchintala Enterprise Ecosystem (BREE), which delivers a structured pipeline of enterprise support across the University.
The Fellowship sits alongside a wider portfolio of programmes under BREE, designed to nurture ventures at different stages, from student led start-ups to early-stage research commercialisation.
Sonya Bachra Byrne, Enterprise Development Manager, said: “Our focus is on helping innovators turn strong ideas into real world impact. The Enterprise Fellowship Programme gives academics and researchers the time, structure and support to build commercially credible ventures, while strengthening their entrepreneurial skills along the way. It is a key part of how BREE is creating a culture where innovation can grow into businesses that deliver meaningful change.”
Professor Sherif El-Khamisy, Pro Vice Chancellor said: “I am immensely proud to see Hado Therapeutics recognised among the UK’s top 17 companies on the LYVA Labs Future Medicines Accelerator, funded by Innovate UK. This achievement reflects the exceptional quality of the science being developed at Bradford and the strength of its enterprise programmes in translating world-class research into high-impact, investment-ready ventures. It exemplifies how our researchers and entrepreneurs are tackling some of the most pressing global health challenges, and it demonstrates the University of Bradford’s growing role at the forefront of next-generation medicines.”