The Pioneer Golden Ticket in Partnership with AbbVie

Pioneer Group have partnered with AbbVie, a global biopharmaceutical company, to launch a Golden Ticket designed to accelerate companies developing novel, transformational therapies and innovations for immunology, oncology, neuroscience, eye care, aesthetics, or other specialities including obesity, GI and hepatology.

The Golden Ticket Programme is designed to support innovative early-stage biotech companies in their efforts to accelerate the development of new therapies to improve human health. The Programme offers the opportunity to secure one year of funding for lab space, a £50k grant, mentorship and scientific expertise to support the company’s development.

Are you an early-stage biotech company that fits the below criteria?

  • Focusing on science or technology with the potential to generate transformational therapies in areas that align strategically with AbbVie’s therapeutic areas of interest, including immunology, oncology, neurology, eye care, aesthetics, or other specialities including obesity, GI and hepatology.
  • Developing therapeutic platform technologies, including gene therapy, novel cell therapy, gene editing, or novel drug-discovery or platform technologies
  • Exclusions: Diagnostics, Devices, Research Tools, and Healthcare Services/IT

The Prize:

As the winner, you’ll unlock a wealth of opportunities designed to propel your idea:

premium lab facilities in victoria house london

 

12-month rent-free incubation space in London, Dublin, Glasgow or Nottingham

 

Access to Pioneer’s Venture Programmes to support commercial de-risking

 

Mentoring & support from Pioneer’s Expert Network, specialist business coaches and AbbVie’s experts

 

£50k in grant funding to help achieve the next milestone

 

Access Pioneer’s inspiring ecosystem, events and annual Investment Showcase

How to apply:

Applications are now closed

Applications have now closed. Please contact us below for enquiries.

Shortlisted candidates will be invited to a virtual pitching event following the submission deadline.

Selection process

  • All applications will be reviewed by the AbbVie and Pioneer Group selection committee

  • Shortlisted candidates will be invited to a virtual pitching event

  • The winner will be announced during the Jefferies Healthcare conference in London, 18th-20th November 2025

  • The successful candidate will be invited to move in to their chosen incubator space from January 2026.

Disclaimer: The decision to award any golden tickets, and the assessments underlying such decision, are solely within the judgement of AbbVie and Pioneer Group. Decisions are not subject to any objection or appeal.

Frequently asked questions

Application process

Complete the online application form and submit your pitch deck (non-confidential) alongside. Maximum of 12 slides.

Closing dates

Applications will close on Friday, 17th October 2025

AbbVie and Pioneer Group want to hear from trailblazing science and technology founders as well as innovators from established businesses who are creating game-changing approaches in the following areas:

  • Immunology, oncology, neurology, eye care, obesity, and aesthetics
  • Developing therapeutic platform technologies, including gene therapy, novel cell therapy, gene editing, or novel drug-discovery or platform technologies
  • Exclusions: Diagnostics, Devices, Research Tools, and Healthcare Services/IT

The Prize:

As winner, you’ll unlock a wealth of opportunities designed to propel your idea:

Your Innovation Hub

12-months rent free incubation space, giving you the freedom to innovate without boundaries. Choose one of our four state-of-the-art Pioneer incubators as your base of operations:

Exclusive Access to The Pioneer Ecosystem
Immerse yourself for 12 months in an inspiring community dedicated to advancing visionary ventures.

Tailored Support
Engage in The Pioneer Venture Programmes and receive bespoke guidance from our Venture Development and Investment teams.

Specialist Business Coaching
Leverage the Pioneer Expert Network – our vast network of specialists and business coaches committed to your success.

Engaging Events
Participate in site events and socials, learning from industry leaders and expanding your network within the broader ecosystem.

Funding
£50k in grant funding from AbbVie

Executive Summary

  • Include a brief history of your company, including:
  • Your company’s mission statement
  • Why and how the company was founded
  • Management team and expertise
  • What and why collaborating with a partner is critical to your success

1. The science behind the asset

2. The prioritized and potentially applicable uses

3. Unique scientific value-add – What differentiates your technology from other companies in the competitive landscape?

4. Relevant IP and publications – Include data supporting your science

5. Mitigation of risk: What are the potential pitfalls and key challenges?

6. What milestones and achievements – What do you expect to accomplish in the next 12 months

7. The key proof of non-confidential concept data – and/or experiment that will help you reach your next inflection point

8. Briefly describe your team – Their background, expertise, and how you will work together to achieve your near-term goals.

9. Your longer-term plans – Product development, go to market strategy as examples including your financing needs to reach these goals?

11. The benefit of potential collaboration with AbbVie and Pioneer Group

Please submit no more than 12 slides. We wish all of you the best of luck and we look forward to receiving your application soon.

AbbVie leaders who are qualified scientific experts in respective fields, including specialties in scientific and/or medical research and business, will review all submissions. The following criteria will form application judging criteria:

  • Fit relating to the research fields of oncology, immunology, neuroscience, obesity, eye care and aesthetics. Judges will also consider novel target(s) identification, drug delivery, discovery technology platforms, and translational research and development
  • Quality of the scientific data, research plan and/or technology platform
  • Potential to successfully achieve research milestones and program development
  • Unmet need for the research in the relevant field. Is this research/program/technology addressing a critical medical need?
  • Readiness to move into a selected Pioneer location within two to six months of being selected for the award

  • Companies must have their principal place of business in the UK or be willing to relocate
  • Companies must not have a significant partnership with another large biopharmaceutical company. However, current, or prior recipients of similar awards sponsored by other pharmaceutical companies or lab spaces are eligible to apply
  • Companies must meet Abbvie’s Golden Ticket criteria:
    • Total equity funding raised must be less than £5M GBP before receiving the Golden Ticket
    • Companies must operate in the life sciences sector and have an impact on human health or therapeutic drug development
    • Companies must be financially and scientifically ready to move into a selected Pionner’s location* within two to six months of receiving the Abbvie Golden Ticket

About AbbVie

AbbVie’s mission is to discover and deliver innovative medicines and solutions that solve serious health issues today and address the medical challenges of tomorrow. We strive to have a remarkable impact on people’s lives across several key therapeutic areas – immunology, oncology, neuroscience and eye care – and products and services in our Allergen Aesthetics portfolio.

About Pioneer

Pioneer Group have 12 locations across the UK and Ireland, creating the largest community of science and technology companies in Europe. Our mission is to help life science and high-tech businesses thrive in tackling challenges in both human and planetary health.

Pioneer integrates the provision of mission-critical real estate with venture building and venture investment within powerful sector-specific communities to create environments in which businesses are more likely to succeed.

This is the fifth Golden Ticket programme launched by Pioneer Group, with partners Novo Nordisk, CPI, AbbVie and Astellas.

Pioneer’s Previous Golden Ticket Partners