Cardiff University has ranked in the top 20 UK universities for spinout success in a new report.
Spotlight on Spinouts 2026 by the Royal Academy of Engineering analysed institutions' spinout value creation since 2010.
Cardiff is ranked 19th in the report and is the top-placed Welsh university.
The ranking uses measures such as number of spinouts, funding and total value created to build a comprehensive analysis of how UK universities are commercialising research into spinouts.
The report highlights the University's spinout Draig Therapeutics as raising the largest financing in 2025 with a $140 Million (£107 Million) investment from leading international venture investors, to advance the development of novel therapies for major neuropsychiatric disorders such as major depressive disorder.
Founded on the research and expertise of Professor John Atack and Professor Simon Ward, from Cardiff University's Medicines Discovery Institute, Draig Therapeutics is the most significant commercial investment into Welsh research to date.
Cardiff has a well-established track-record of spinout success across a variety of areas, including artificial intelligence, advanced therapeutics, and genomics.
Welcoming the news, Cardiff University's Pro Vice-Chancellor for Research, Innovation, and Enterprise, Professor Roger Whitaker, said: "Our recognition among the UK's top 20 universities for spinout success is an endorsement of the strength of our translational research."
We are committed to innovation-led growth that drives a robust and forward-looking Welsh economy, creating high-quality jobs and lasting benefits for our local Cardiff capital region communities and for all of Wales.
Science Minister, Lord Vallance said: "We are home to some of the world's best universities and brightest scientific minds, and the companies emerging from our higher education sector are delivering the growth which creates new jobs, greater investment, and more opportunity.
"While there is still more work to do, this report shows the UK is well placed to continue moving from strength to strength - delivering innovations that will improve lives all over the world."
This is the sixth edition of the Royal Academy of Engineering's 'Spotlight' report, which is published annually.
