The University of Liverpool and Alder Hey Children’s Hospital have received a £2million grant from the National Institute of Health Research (NIHR) to develop a state-of-the-art paediatric Clinical Research Facility.
This nationally competitive, prestigious funding has been achieved in response to the NIHR’s call to improve the UK’s ability to lead development of better medicines world-wide. The new Facility will be an important resource for clinical investigators and the pharmaceutical industry alike.
Professor Michael Beresford, from the University of Liverpool and Director of the PCRF said: “The University of Liverpool and Alder Hey are synonymous with national and international leadership and excellence in the development of better, safer, more effective and child-friendly medicines.
“Establishment of a bespoke, state-of-the-art, paediatric Clinical Research Facility at Alder Hey will be at the heart of our collaborative efforts, underpinning the very best basic biomedical research and drug development taking place amongst our University, clinical academic and commercial partners nationally and internationally, ensuring translation directly into the very best care for babies, children, and young people.”
Alder Hey’s Chief Executive, Louise Shepherd said: “This is fantastic news for Alder Hey and we are delighted to be playing such a key role in the future of children’s medicine. This is a really exciting time for Alder Hey as we look forward to move into our new hospital in 2015. The new Clinical Research Facility will enable us to take vital steps towards our vision of becoming a world leader in paediatric healthcare research.”
The funding will ensure Alder Hey’s leadership in improving the health and well-being of children, by providing an internationally excellent bespoke facility for conduct of experimental medicine studies.
Dr Matthew Peak, Director of Research at Alder Hey said: “This is great news for Alder Hey. We have recently published a ten year Alder Hey Integrated Research Strategy with our University Partners. Excellence in the development of novel biomarkers, treatment therapies and interventions for children and young people and the opportunity for every child to be offered the opportunity to participate in a research study or trial are key and fundamental to our plans. This funding will create a significant number of new posts along with further development of expertise in paediatric drug development. It will help us go a very long way in ensuring we achieve our ambition to be one of the recognised world leaders in children’s research and health care.”
Set to officially open in May 2012, the new Facility will provide a safe, child-centred environment for enhancing Liverpool’s international expertise in paediatric clinical pharmacology.