MRC business case for UKCMRI gets Government seal of approval
Wednesday 9 February, 2011
The Medical Research Council (MRC) welcomes today’s news that its business case for the UK Centre for Medical Research Innovation (UKCMRI) has been approved by Government, confirming the £300 million of MRC funding for the state-of-the-art biomedical research institute in central London.
As a world-leading medical research centre of excellence, UKCMRI will provide space for more than 1,500 staff, including 1,250 scientists from a range of disciplines at a new site in St Pancras and Somers Town, London. Located amid a cluster of outstanding research and medical institutions, UKCMRI will foster collaborations and multi-disciplinary working which are now recognised as essential for success in biomedical science.
On the approval of the Business Case, Sir John Savill, Chief Executive, Medical Research Council, said:
“We are pleased that the Government recognises UKCMRI as one of the most significant developments in UK biomedical science for a generation. UKCMRI will reinforce the UK’s position as a global centre of research excellence, attracting the brightest and best scientific minds to find ways to prevent and treat the most significant diseases affecting people today.
“By enabling collaborations and multi-disciplinary working between scientists, UKCMRI will play a key role in ensuring that scientific advances are brought from laboratory bench to patient bedside swiftly and effectively.”
Prime Minister David Cameron said:
“The UK’s science and research sector is world class and one that we can be very proud of.
“A strong research base is absolutely crucial to help secure long term economic growth, helping to rebalance the economy and creating the jobs of the future, which is why despite some tough spending decisions we have protected its funding.
“We have some of the best scientists, excellent facilities and cutting edge technology, and it is our determination that we do all that we can to ensure the UK remains one of the world leaders in this field for many years to come.”
Business Secretary Vince Cable said:
“The UK life sciences industry is an important growth sector, employing over 130,000 people and generating a turnover of over £30 billion last year.
“We need to do everything we can to encourage both companies and researchers to come and work in the UK on a range of important projects aimed at improving our quality of life, which will in turn boost economic growth.”
Minister for Universities and Science David Willetts said:
“Here in UK we have some of the world’s top biomedical scientists, but to make the most of this we need to ensure we have the very best facilities.
“I am delighted that we are one step closer to the development of UKCMRI. This exciting new institute will bring the best scientific talent together to understand the biology underlying human health and find ways to prevent and treat the most significant diseases affecting people today.”
UKCMRI is a partnership of four of the world’s most influential and respected scientific research organisations: Cancer Research UK, the Medical Research Council, UCL (University College London) and the Wellcome Trust. Its aim is to discover and develop a new understanding of, and treatments for, the illnesses which affect everyone, such as cancers, heart disease and stroke, flu and other infections.
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