Southwark is aiming to create 20,000 new high-quality jobs in the life sciences sector by 2030 through the SC1 London Life Sciences Innovation District initiative.

The Southwark Health and Wellbeing Board received an update on the SC1 London Life Sciences Innovation District at their meeting on 11 December 2025. The project aims to foster innovation, creative partnerships and improve the lives of local and global communities. The report to the board outlined the progress of the initiative.

SC1 is a partnership between King's College London, Guy's and St Thomas', South London and Maudsley and King's College Hospital NHS Foundation Trusts, Guys & St Thomas's Foundation and Southwark and Lambeth Councils. The district aims to create a thriving life sciences ecosystem.

In the medium term, SC1 hopes to deliver:

  • 20,000 new high-quality jobs in the life sciences sector by 2030.
  • Three innovation hubs, including:
    • BioMedical Hub at London Bridge
    • MedTech Hub at the Westminster Bridge Campus
    • Mind & Body Hub at the Denmark Hill
  • Real estate with positive impact, including plans for major new life sciences developments at Royal Street in Lambeth and Snowsfields Quarter in Southwark.
  • A life sciences talent and skills pipeline for local residents, including the creation of work experience, paid internships and apprenticeships.

The Snowsfield Quarter real estate project in Southwark is a collaborative development being led by Guy's and St Thomas' Foundation, Oxford Properties and Reef Group. The £350 million development will create a 32,500 square meter mixed-use life science space with a replacement pub, café and new community floorspace. It will create 1,605 jobs, including 715 construction roles. The planning application for Snowsfield Quarter was approved by Southwark Council in October 2025. As part of the development, the developers will pay £2.7 million in planning obligations in the local area including over £400,000 for improvements to Guy Street Park and £500,000 for environmental works to a neighbouring estate.

The Health and Wellbeing Board noted the progress being made with SC1 and identified opportunities to unlock the benefits of the new talent pipeline, real estate and partnerships for health and wellbeing in Southwark.

A new SC1 London team has recently been recruited, including a Head of Partnership, Head of Strategy and Partnerships Development, and Head of Communications and Engagement. A further, jointly funded post hosted by Southwark Council will start in December and lead an initial set of skills and employment interventions for local people.

As part of a refreshed comms plan, a new SC1 London brand was unveiled at the successful London Life Sciences Week events SC1 Pathfinders: The Next Generation of Life Sciences and SC1 Spotlight: The Future of Health and Life Sciences in November 2025.

A new five-year SC1 London strategy is under development which will capture SC1 London's unique value proposition under five strategic themes: Innovation, enterprise, place, networks, and community and talent.

The SC1 partnership is contributing to:

  • Action area 1 of the Strong and fair economy goal of Southwark 2030: Create even more good jobs and apprenticeships, and help Southwark residents into them .
  • The Joint Health and Wellbeing Strategy aim to Increase access to good quality jobs, providing support to those facing systemic inequalities and barriers to employment .

The SC1 aim to facilitate a partnership approach to addressing healthcare changes and promoting health equity will also contribute to the 'Staying well' goal of Southwark 2030 and various parts of the Joint Health and Wellbeing Strategy.

Aligned to Southwark's Economic Strategy and Skills Plan, SC1 is also contributing to the London Growth Plan which aims to boost productivity growth in the capital by 2 per cent per year, creating 150,000 new jobs by 2028.

SC1 London aims to positively impact on communities through job creation, skills development, creation of affordable workspace and community amenities, as well as the funding unlocked through Section 106 commitments to be paid by the developer of the Snowfields Quarter.

Health equity is a key strategic priority for SC1. By leveraging partnerships between NHS trusts, academia, and industry, the district aims to co-create solutions for complex health challenges, such as mental health and chronic disease management.

The Snowfields Quarter development has set high sustainability standards for construction and operation, including a net-zero carbon target and BREEAM 'Outstanding' certification.