Immunocore comprises ~35 staff based in its Oxfordshire offices in the UK. Originally known as Avidex, a spin-out from Oxford University formed under the direction of its CSO Dr Bent Jakobsen, the company developed a number of programmes aimed at modulating the immune system, based on the original TCR work carried out by Dr Jakobsen at Oxford University.

Avidex was acquired by the German Biotech company, MediGene AG in 2006; however, following a strategic review in early 2008, MediGene AG decided to concentrate on the development of its late stage assets, the company opted to divest its preclinical assets as a number of technology orientated spin-outs. The first of these spin-outs is Adaptimmune Limited, which specialises in adoptive therapy (see www.adaptimmune.com)

Immunocore is the second spin-out and became operational on 1st October 2008 with investment from a consortium of investors along with MediGene AG to advance the development of soluble engineered T-Cell Receptors.