The University of Birmingham and University Hospitals Birmingham NHS Foundation Trust (Birmingham Health Partners) welcome today’s announcement of government support for the creation of a new world class clinical research facility in Birmingham.
This major investment, part of the government’s City Deal, will go towards funding an Institute for Translational Medicine. This centre will help progress the very latest scientific research findings from the University into enhanced treatments for patients across a range of major health issues including cancer and liver disease.
The Institute will build on Birmingham’s excellent track record in clinical trials by increasing capacity and enabling more patients to be co-located alongside clinicians and researchers. It will also make it easier for both SME and large pharma and biotechnology firms to work more closely with clinicians and academics, bringing additional investment into the city.
Professor Michael Sheppard, Provost and Vice-Principal, University of Birmingham commented: “This investment will further enhance our expertise in clinical trials and ensure that the University of Birmingham’s world class medical research translates directly to enhanced treatments for patients. Our outstanding track record in translational medicine makes Birmingham the ideal place to locate the institute.”
Dame Julie Moore, Chief Executive, University Hospitals Birmingham NHS Foundation Trust, commented: “This funding is a fantastic catalyst for the development of Life Sciences here in Birmingham. It enables the Trust to support the city in capitalising on the potential for wider economic growth associated with work in this sector but most importantly it will bring benefits for patients. The development of the city’s research capability is key to ensure potentially new and improved approaches to treatment.”
The University of Birmingham and University Hospitals Birmingham NHS Foundation Trust currently host the largest Wellcome Clinical Research Facility in the UK, a national research unit in Liver Disease, the largest specialist Cancer Trials Unit in the UK and a National Centre for Trauma Research.
ENDS-
For interviews please contact:
Jenni Ameghino, University of Birmingham
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Notes to Editors
Birmingham Health Partners (BHP) is a landmark joint working agreement between the University of Birmingham and University Hospitals Birmingham NHS Foundation Trust. Established in November 2011, it enhances the longstanding working relationship between the two institutions and enables patients to benefit from new therapies delivered by expert clinicians working alongside top research scientists and world-leading clinical trials teams. www.birminghamhealthpartners.co.uk
2. Based at the new Queen Elizabeth Hospital Birmingham, BHP will fuel collaborative projects in key research areas including cancer, immunology and infection, experimental medicine and chronic disease, and is intended to strengthen and develop the global reputations of both the University and the Trust.