Southampton scientists set to get £8.2 million boost for cancer research

Professor Peter Johnson, of the University of Southampton and Cancer Research UK’s chief clinician who leads the Cancer Research UK Southampton Centre, said the funding announcement confirms the city’s role as a world-leader in cancer research and would help attract experts from around the world to work in the city.

He said: “This new round of investment from Cancer Research UK is very welcome, especially because the funds allocated will help us to recruit more leading cancer immunology specialists from around the world, who will help maintain Southampton’s position as one of Cancer Research UK’s flagship centres.

“The University of Southampton and University Hospital Southampton NHS Foundation Trust make a formidable team in the fight against cancer and we will continue to work together to turn our research into benefits for people around the world.”

Southampton was chosen, by an international panel of experts, as one of just 13 locations in the UK to secure funding in the latest review of the Cancer Research UK Centres network of excellence and one of just 18 Experimental Cancer Medicine Centres (ECMCs).

Professor Johnson added: “Together, these Centres accelerate the discovery and development of better treatments for cancer patients in Southampton and beyond.

“This investment means we will be able to advance our work in developing new cancer drugs – getting discoveries from the laboratory to clinical trials in patients and learning as much as possible from our patients to initiate new research.

“This award represents a critical investment in the research infrastructure at Southampton, equipping us with the key laboratory and clinical tools needed to advance the understanding and treatment of cancer for the benefit of people in the South East and beyond.”

Tony Williams, Professor of Translational Medicine of the University of Southampton and director of Southampton ECMC, said: “The investment in experimental cancer medicine is critical to our ability to evaluate new treatments that may offer improved therapies of the future.

“Our distinctive expertise in cancer immunotherapies will significantly contribute to the national network of 18 ECMC centres, focussing on both adult and paediatric cancers, and ensure new therapies that are discovered will be fast-tracked to patients in clinical trials, helping to benefit cancer patients across the south.”

Nicola Blackwood, Minister for Public Health and Innovation, said: “We want to lead the world in fighting cancer. The work of ECMCs is crucial in this fight. This next phase of funding from the National Institute for Health Research will help our world-leading researchers to continue to make new discoveries.”

Every year, around 47,200 people are diagnosed with cancer in the South East.***

The University of Southampton has a long history in ground breaking cancer immunology research with bench to bedside results. In September The University is expecting to open The Centre for Cancer Immunology. It will be the first centre dedicated to cancer immunology research and bring world leading cancer scientists under one roof and enable interdisciplinary teams to expand clinical trials and develop lifesaving drugs. The University is running a campaign to raise £25 million to fund it. More information about the Centre is available at www.southampton.ac.uk/youreit