The funding, which was agreed in the Glasgow and Clyde Valley City Deal, has been confirmed by the Department for Business, Innovation and Skills and will allow the development of a unique Imaging Centre of Excellence which will include a world-leading £7m ultra high-field MRI scanner, creating a facility which will be unique in the UK.
Glasgow is leading the world in the development of ‘Precision Medicine’, where advanced diagnostic tests, including whole genome sequencing, are used to precisely select the best treatment for patients thereby dramatically improving outcomes.
The Centre will unite world-leading clinical academic expertise and specialist industry to develop advanced diagnostic imaging methodologies for use in stroke, cardiovascular disease and brain imaging.
The new South Glasgow University Hospital will also be home to the £20m Stratified Medicine Scotland Innovation Centre, which will be physically linked to both the Imaging Centre of Excellence and new Clinical Research Facilities for clinical trials.
Together, these facilities will secure Glasgow’s leading position in precision medicine, and benefit patients in Scotland and the UK. The Centre will ultimately support around 260 staff, including academic clinical researchers, industry partners and support staff.
The University of Glasgow, with NHS Greater Glasgow & Clyde and industry partners Thermo Fisher and Aridhia, has recently been shortlisted for the 2015 Scottish Enterprise Life Science Innovative Collaboration Award, recognising the impact that this world-leading innovation will bring to the Scottish Life Sciences sector.
Professor Anna Dominiczak, Vice-Principal and Head of College of Medical, Veterinary & Life Sciences, University of Glasgow, said: “The Imaging Centre of Excellence will be the first facility of its kind to bring together NHS, academic and industry partners under the same roof to develop and apply advanced imaging technologies that will aid our understanding and treatment of a range of human diseases.
“The advanced imaging technology will also dovetail the world-leading clinical academic expertise in stroke, cardiovascular disease, and brain imaging, already based at the University of Glasgow, helping secure the city’s position as leaders in the field of Precision Medicine.”
Robert Calderwood, Chief Executive of NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde said: “I am delighted that this state-of-the-art development which, when open, will sit alongside some of the most advanced clinical facilities in Europe which are being provided by the Scottish Government.”
Deputy First Minister John Swinney said: “This is great news for the South Glasgow University Hospital. The state of the art Imaging Centre of Excellence (ICE) will give Scotland a comparative advantage in clinical research and will provide innovation facilities for our life science companies to support the development the products and services which will help the NHS meet Scotland’s complex health needs.
“The Scottish Government is a full partner in the Glasgow and Clyde Valley City deal, of which the ICE is part, contributing £500 million over 20 years to the Infrastructure Investment Fund. In addition we have invested £1 billion in the new hospital without which has supported the hospital’s infrastructure. We hope this announcement will further strengthen Scotland’s bid to locate the Innovate UK Precision Medicine Catapult at the site.”
Councillor Gordon Matheson, Leader of Glasgow City Council, said: “This funding for the Imaging Centre for Excellence is extremely welcome news and underlines the world-beating facilities that the South Glasgow University Hospital will offer. Glasgow is now very well placed to gain in both health and economic terms from such centres. It is fantastic to see this, another example of the benefits to the city and the city-region that the City Deal will bring.”
Links
University of Glasgow: ‘£16m of funding for state-of-the-art imaging centre in Glasgow’