Scotland opens new cancer research centre

Published: 28-Jan-2011

Based in Glasgow, the new centre will bring together the region\'s experts in cancer therapies


Strathclyde University has joined forces with Cancer Research UK to accelerate the pace of research in Glasgow and see the city become a world leader in the development of new treatments tailored for individual cancer patients.

The new Cancer Research UK West of Scotland Cancer Centre will draw together lab research and medical expertise from Strathclyde and Glasgow Universities, and NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde to provide the best possible results for cancer patients nationwide. It will also help bring together researchers at Strathclyde’s Cancer Research UK Formulation Unit, the Beatson West of Scotland Cancer Centre and the Beatson Institute for Cancer Research.

The Centre aims to build on Glasgow’s research in the areas of drug discovery and how cancer spreads around the body. The focus will be on research into bowel cancer and chronic myeloid leukaemia, working to make new discoveries in basic cell biology then helping to translate those into new treatments. It will enable researchers who are not usually able to work together to exchange ideas and information more easily and build collaborations to translate research into new ways to detect and treat cancer.

Research at Strathclyde’s Formulation Unit develops putative anti-cancer drugs to a level suitable for Phase I and II clinical trials. Since opening in 1983, it has handled more than 100 compounds and manufactured more than a million units of anti-cancer drugs.

Professor Gavin Halbert, director of the Cancer Research UK Formulation Unit, said: ‘The Centre is a tremendous initiative that will galvanise the city’s world-leading status as a centre for the development of new cancer treatments, spanning the entire process from biology, to chemistry, pharmacy, oncology and, ultimately, the patient.

‘In the Cancer Research UK Formulation Unit, we seek and test new compounds for treatments to tackle cancer, which remains one of the biggest health threats to many parts of the world, and several treatments have been developed at Strathclyde over the years. We look forward to working with colleagues throughout the city to produce further global impact.’

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