DoH announces new centres of excellence

The Department of Health has announced the creation of eleven new biomedical research centres of excellence. The centres will focus on translational research in an aim to propel the development, testing and uptake of new and improved methods of the prevention, diagnosis and treatment of ill-health

Over ?450 million will be allocated to centres in Cambridge, Liverpool, London, Newcastle and Oxford over the next five years to fund research into diseases including heart disease and cancer, HIV, asthma and blindness.

Those centres not selected for this funding will receive assistance from the government to build on their strengths to further develop their translational research capabilities.

Patricia Hewitt, health secretary, said: “The new biomedical research centres will put the UK at the forefront of vital health research and contribute to the nation’s international competitiveness as a major component of our knowledge economy.”

She added that such research is “vital” for both the physical and economic health of the UK.

Last week, the independent scientific group established by the Department of Health following the adverse effects suffered by participants in the trial of TGN1412 made a number of recommendations for enhancing the safety of phase I clinical trials.