Multimillion research centre for clinical imaging
GlaxoSmithKline (GSK) and Imperial College London have signed a unique research collaboration in medical imaging, whereby GSK will contribute funding of £28m (e43m) for the construction of a new Clinical Imaging Centre, next to Hammersmith Hospital in London. Research will focus on cancer, stroke, neurological diseases such as Parkinson's and multiple sclerosis and psychiatric diseases.
The GSK Clinical Imaging Centre will use and advance the latest technologies in magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and positron emission tomography (PET). GSK will invest a further £16m in the latest PET and MRI imaging equipment. The Imaging Centre will be part of a new £60m research development by Imperial College, on the former Burlington Danes school site adjoining Hammersmith Hospital, to be completed by 2006.
The agreement is one of the world's largest industry-university collaborations in financial terms, and will substantially increase the research base in medical imaging. Sir Richard Sykes, rector of Imperial College, remarked: 'This collaboration brings together the research heritage, skills and expertise of a diverse group of scientists and new technology.'