UKCMRI has welcomed the Government's statement of support for
the project to build a world-leading medical research institute in
London.
The Medical Research Council, Cancer Research UK, the Wellcome
Trust and UCL (University College London) have been working
extremely closely to deliver the UK Centre for Medical Research and
Innovation (UKCMRI).
The Government's share of funding for UKCMRI, subject to it
receiving a satisfactory business case at the end of the year, will
now be provided as required over the next 5 years in parallel with
construction, rather than funding in advance.
The founders have already invested more than £100m and will
continue to fund the project confident the required funding will be
provided by the Government on a phased basis.
UKCMRI will be a world-leading biomedical research institute at
the heart of an exceptional cluster of medical research and
academic institutions in north London. The Government's commitment
to providing its share of funds will help the founders develop this
unique project. It will keep the UK at the forefront of research,
strengthen the UK economy and help to deliver the discoveries that
will transform people's lives.
Sir David Cooksey, chairman of the UK Centre for Medical
Research and Innovation said:
"We welcome the Government's support for UKCMRI. The review sees
the Government's share of funding confirmed but delivered in a
different way. It's clear that the commitment to UKCMRI's success
remains. UKCMRI is a unique, long-term project that will enhance
Britain's position at the leading edge of biomedical research. It
will bring together and train the best scientists to examine the
causes of some of the most intractable diseases facing the world.
UKCMRI will bring benefits to patients, to the NHS and to the UK
economy. The Government's commitment to the project reflects the
importance of UKCMRI for science in the UK and globally."
The Government has made clear that it is committed to the
project and it remains the top priority for the Medical Research
Council. There will be no effect on the scope of the project nor
its ambition.