Global centre of excellence for Precision Medicine
The University of Glasgow has been awarded funding from a consortium of public and private partners to create a global centre of excellence for Precision Medicine called The Living Lab.
The Lab will be based at the Queen Elizabeth University Hospital in Govan and will focus on translating cutting-edge science and innovation into a real-world clinical setting.
It will build on the existing Precision Medicine ecosystem already in place there and be led by the same UofG team who set up the rapid response Lighthouse Lab COVID-19 testing facility in Glasgow.
Precision Medicine is the tailoring of medical treatments to each patient’s characteristics. This means patients can be treated quickly and more effectively and can avoid unnecessary side effects from drugs that won’t work.
Precision Medicine is made possible by using cutting-edge medical tools such as more precise diagnostics, imaging, genomics and artificial intelligence.
The Living Lab will be a cluster of Precision Medicine excellence, creating a facility which will have unparalleled interactions between academia, industry and the health service.
These cross-sector collaborations will address the biggest challenge currently facing Precision Medicine: the translation of research innovation into clinical practice for the benefit of patients.
The Living Lab project will achieve this by offering growing space and support infrastructure for the development of Precision Medicine-based health innovations so they can go from lab to health service. It will also help companies to develop and commercialise, as well as encourage business start-ups. At the same time, it will offer the NHS substantial savings by implementing Precision Medicine in the UK’s largest hospital.
The Clinical Innovation Zone at the Queen Elizabeth University Hospital in Govan
The Living Lab will also be beneficial to the city of Glasgow. It is projected to deliver 446 high-value jobs and £136 million GVA over an 8-year period.
The global Precision Medicine market is projected to reach $134 billion by 2025. The Living Lab will capitalise on this rapidly growing market by harnessing existing strengths and leadership in Precision Medicine in Scotland to drive economic growth in Govan, one of the UK’s most deprived areas.
Along with the University’s Clinical Innovation Zone, the Living Lab will form an integral part of the Glasgow Riverside Innovation District. This area aims to reimagine Glasgow’s proud industrial heritage for the 21st century and establish Glasgow’s leadership in the high-tech industries of the future.
Professor Sir Anton Muscatelli, Principal of the University of Glasgow:
“Glasgow and Scotland are world-leaders in the field of Precision Medicine – and the new Living Lab will turn our research and innovation excellence into clinical practice, offering an unparalleled opportunity to deliver benefits for patients and savings for the NHS.
But as well as being a game-changer for Precision Medicine in Scotland and the UK, this project will deliver a real impact for the local and national economy. This is an area of the city synonymous with Glaswegian leadership in heavy industry – and it is deeply exciting that the University is helping to lead the way in reimagining this great industrial legacy for the 21st century.”
Professor Dame Anna Dominiczak, Regius Professor of Medicine at the Institute of Cardiovascular & Medical Sciences and Scotland’s leading expert on Precision Medicine:
“This project is of true local, national and international importance and will cement Scotland’s and the UK’s position as the world leader in Precision Medicine.
The Living Lab will offer a game-changing opportunity to bring a dynamic collective of industry, academia and the NHS together to work on research and development opportunities that will have real world potential and implications for the NHS and ultimately patients. The development will also allow Scotland to further capitalise on its unique ‘triple helix’ approach to Precision Medicine, now a multibillion dollar industry.”
Ivan McKee, Minister for Trade, Investment and Innovation:
“I am delighted that the Precision Medicine Living Lab is one of two projects from Scotland that have secured investment from this highly competitive fund. This project builds on the Scottish Government’s significant investment and our clinical and academic strengths within the life sciences community to maintain Scotland’s reputation as a world leading centre of excellence in Precision Medicine.
Through collaboration with a range of partners this project will deliver improved patient outcomes, savings for the NHS, and tackle healthcare challenges. The project will also provide a significant boost to the local economy.”
Councillor Susan Aitken, Leader of Glasgow City Council & Chair of the Glasgow City Region City Deal Cabinet:
“I’m delighted to see this funding come to Glasgow as the city cements its place as the world-leader in the field of Precision Medicine – and adds to the investment already taking place as the City Council and our partners work together to deliver the Glasgow Riverside Innovation District.
As well as reaffirming our position as one of the most innovative cities in Europe, this project will also further contribute to the regeneration of Govan and the riverside area more generally - ensuring people in Glasgow feel the benefit of our world-leading research and innovation strengths.”
Funding
The University of Glasgow will deliver this ambitious vision with £38m from the government-funded UK Research & Innovation's Strength in Places Fund, £22m from industry partners and an additional investment of £27.5m from Glasgow City Council and Glasgow City Region City Deal.
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