Lancaster University spinouts Quinas Technology and Photarix, alongside the Quantum Innovation Lancaster platform, presented advancements in quantum technologies at the UK National Quantum Technologies Showcase in London on November 17, 2025. Quinas, led by Physics Professor Manus Hayne, showcased its ULTRA RAM™ memory, recently recognized with a 2025 World Intellectual Property Organisation Global Award, for low-power AI and secure computing applications. Simultaneously, Photarix, founded by CEO Gizem Acar Tekin, highlighted its development of quantum-ring single-photon light-emitting diodes (QR SPLEDs) for secure quantum key distribution, addressing vulnerabilities in current encryption methods. This strong Lancaster presence underscores the university’s commitment to translating quantum research into commercial impact.
Lancaster University Showcases Quantum Innovation
Lancaster University demonstrated significant quantum innovation at the UK National Quantum Technologies Showcase, featuring spinouts Quinas Technology and Photarix alongside the Quantum Innovation Lancaster platform. Quinas is advancing “ULTRA RAM™,” a novel computer memory poised to revolutionize AI and secure computing. Notably, Quinas recently achieved a landmark win – becoming the first UK company to jointly receive a 2025 World Intellectual Property Organisation Global Award, highlighting the technology’s global impact and positioning the UK at the forefront of future memory development.
Photarix, a recent Lancaster spinout, is tackling the vulnerability of current encryption methods to quantum computing through quantum key distribution (QKD). Their approach centers on developing quantum-ring single-photon light-emitting diodes (QR SPLEDs) – innovative light sources designed to overcome practical limitations of QKD. CEO Gizem Acar Tekin emphasized the journey from Lancaster University research to technologies with demonstrable national and global reach, crucial for securing future communications.
Lancaster University’s commitment to translating research into impact is underscored by Quantum Base, the first spinout to float on the London Stock Exchange, securing £4.8M in investment. This success earned Lancaster the Times Higher Education Award for Knowledge Exchange/Transfer Initiative of the Year in 2025. With over 15,000 business partnerships and a £2 billion annual economic impact, Lancaster’s strong presence at the Showcase affirms their dedication to “quantum innovation” as a core business strategy.
Key Spinouts: Quinas & Photarix Technologies
Lancaster University spinout Quinas Technology is pushing the boundaries of computer memory with its ULTRA RAM™ technology. This innovative approach to in-memory computing aims to drastically improve performance and security, particularly for AI applications. Quinas recently achieved a significant milestone, becoming one of the first UK companies to win a World Intellectual Property Organisation Global Award in 2025. The company’s progress underscores the UK’s growing position as a leader in next-generation memory solutions, moving beyond limitations of traditional RAM.
Photarix Technologies is addressing a critical vulnerability in modern data security – the threat quantum computers pose to current encryption standards. The company is developing quantum key distribution (QKD) systems utilizing novel quantum-ring single-photon light-emitting diodes (QR SPLEDs). These SPLEDs operate at telecom wavelengths, a crucial step toward practical, long-distance secure communication networks. By generating truly random encryption keys, Photarix aims to establish unhackable communication channels for banking, messaging, and data storage.
Both Quinas and Photarix exemplify Lancaster University’s success in translating academic research into commercially viable technologies. The strong presence of these spinouts – alongside Quantum Innovation Lancaster – at the UK National Quantum Technologies Showcase (attended by over 3000 people) highlights a thriving ecosystem. This momentum is further demonstrated by Quantum Base’s recent IPO on the London Stock Exchange with £4.8M investment, earning Lancaster University a prestigious Times Higher Education Award in 2025.
Quantum Commercialization & University Impact
Lancaster University is demonstrably impacting quantum commercialization, evidenced by strong representation at the 2025 UK National Quantum Technologies Showcase. Three entities – spinouts Quinas Technology and Photarix, alongside the Quantum Innovation Lancaster platform – highlighted advancements. Quinas is pushing the boundaries of ULTRA RAM™ – a novel computer memory technology – and recently secured recognition at the World Intellectual Property Organisation Global Awards, a first for a UK company. This signals a growing capacity for UK-based innovation in advanced memory solutions for AI and security applications.
Photarix, a recent Lancaster spinout, is tackling the looming threat quantum computers pose to current encryption methods. They’re developing quantum-ring single-photon light-emitting diodes (QR SPLEDs) for quantum key distribution (QKD) – a theoretically unhackable communication method. This work, originating from PhD research, focuses on creating telecom-wavelength single-photon sources, critical for practical, long-distance QKD implementation, and demonstrates a direct translation of academic work into commercially viable technology.
Beyond individual spinouts, Lancaster University boasts a robust innovation ecosystem. With over 15,000 business partnerships and a £2 billion annual economic impact, the university fosters a strong link between research and industry. Quantum Base, the first Lancaster spinout to float on the London Stock Exchange (with £4.8M investment), exemplifies this success. This achievement earned Lancaster University the Knowledge Exchange/Transfer Initiative of the Year Award, further cementing its position as
