UCL awarded £11.1m towards new Institute of Immunity and Transplantation

UCL has been awarded £11.1 million from the UK Research Partnership Investment Fund (UKRPIF) towards the cost of the new UCL Institute for Immunity and Transplantation at the Royal Free Hospital in Hampstead. The Institute is a £33 million partnership between UCL and the Royal Free London NHS Foundation Trust, with the Royal Free Charity undertaking a £22 million fund-raising campaign to provide the additional investment that is required. The new research facilities will enable world-leading research and clinical trials to develop new treatments and patient therapies for a range of chronic diseases such as cancer, HIV and diabetes. The Institute will also support collaboration with the Cell Therapy Catapult and industry partners to develop new forms of tissue, cell and gene therapy as commercial products. This excellent project will not only deliver new knowledge and applications for industry, but will accelerate growth and foster innovation between the research base and business, keeping the UK ahead in the global race. David Willetts, Minister for Universities and Science UCL's award was announced by the Chancellor George Osborne today and is one of five new university and business partnerships receiving over £290 million of public and private investment in research projects to drive innovation and growth. The projects will focus on physical sciences, medical research, advanced materials, pharmaceutical manufacturing and advanced manufacturing.