New cancer centre celebrated at event

The doors of the UK’s first research centre dedicated to cancer immunology have been opened and scientists have started to move in.

Equipment is being unpacked and offices are starting to look like home for the University of Southampton’s cancer teams who have been at the forefront of cancer immunology research for the past 40 years.

The Centre for Cancer Immunology, which is based at Southampton General Hospital, was funded by a £25m philanthropic campaign, the largest the University of Southampton has undertaken and built by Kier.

The new Centre was celebrated at a special event this week where Professor Sir Christopher Snowden, President and Vice-Chancellor of the University, members of the Faculty of Medicine and other dignitaries were given a guided tour.

The event was also a chance for the University to commend the work that Kier’s teams had put in to build the Centre.

Professor Tim Elliott, Director of the new Centre, paid tribute to the efforts of everyone who played a part in bringing the Centre to fruition. He said: “This building is a representative of doing something better. It will extend our influence and reach and will attract some of the best cancer immunologist in the world.”

Trevor White, Operations Director, Kier Construction – Southern, said after the event: “We’re proud to have been involved with the Centre for Cancer Immunology which will be at the forefront of developing new treatments in the UK.

“It’s been a fantastic opportunity working with the University of Southampton and University Hospital Southampton NHS Trust on the ground-breaking centre. Since the start of the project we’ve developed a strong working relationship with the University and Trust which has been pivotal to the successful delivery of this landmark building.

“We have extensive experience in both the healthcare sector and local area and used our expertise to deliver this revolutionary facility.”

The Centre for Cancer Immunology aims to bring together world-leading cancer scientists and enable interdisciplinary teams to expand clinical trials and develop more lifesaving drugs.

Fundraising is still continuing with donations going to Cancer Immunology Talent Fund that will support the people in the Centre that will drive the research forward.  The Fund will support early career researchers, recruiting senior academics and funding new interdisciplinary studies.  

For more information visit www.southampton.ac.uk/youreit