26.06.20
Uni of Glasgow awarded £38m to deliver precision medicine project
The University of Glasgow has been awarded £38m in funding to create the Precision Medicine Living Lab, a potentially ‘game-changing’ project focused on translating cutting-edge science and innovation into a real-world clinical setting.
Set to be situated in the University of Glasgow premises, adjacent to the Queen Elizabeth University Hospital Campus in Govan, the project won government funding through UK Research and Innovation’s flagship Strength in Places Fund.
The awarded funding will enable the creation of a global centre of excellence for precision medicine, building on existing world-leading ecosystem which has already been established.
Precision medicine refers to the process of tailoring medical treatments to each patient’s individual characteristics, helping to treat people quickly and more effectively. It utilises advanced medical tools such as more precise diagnostics, imaging, genomics and artificial intelligence.
Globally, the precision medicines market is project to reach $134bn by 2025.
The Living Lab will be led by the same University of Glasgow team which established the rapid response Lighthouse Lab Covid-19 testing facility in the city and is being made possible by a consortium of public and private partners.
Working with Glasgow City Council and Glasgow City Region City Deal too, the Living Lab will also be supported by over £22m from industrial partners and an investment of £27.5m from the council and city region deal alongside its UKRI Strength in Places funding. The Living Lab is projected to deliver 446 high-value jobs and £136m GVA over an 8-year period.
The awarded funding will enable the creation of a global centre of excellence for precision medicine, building on existing world-leading ecosystem which has already been established
The Living Lab project will establish a new life sciences cluster around the Queen Elizabeth University Hospital and offer growing space and support infrastructure for the development of Precision Medicine based health innovations so they can go from lab to health service.
The Living Lab will help to support companies to develop and commercialise as well as to encourage business start-ups while offering the NHS substantial savings by implementing Precision Medicine in the UK’s largest hospital.
University of Glasgow Principal, Professor Sir Anton Muscatelli, said: “Glasgow and Scotland are world-leaders in the field of Precision Medicine – and the new Living Lab will turn our research and innovation excellence into clinical practice, offering an unparalleled opportunity to deliver benefits for patients and savings for the NHS.
“But as well as being a game-changer for Precision Medicine in Scotland and the UK, this project will deliver a real impact for the local and national economy. This is an area of the city synonymous with Glaswegian leadership in heavy industry – and it is deeply exciting that the University is helping to lead the way in reimagining this great industrial legacy for the 21st century.”
Business Secretary Alok Sharma added: “Today’s announcement will ensure some of our country’s most promising R&D projects get the investment they need to take off and thrive.
“Working with the private sector our world-class universities, we’re backing new and innovative ideas that will create jobs and boost skills in every part of the UK for years to come.”