Cardiff University is about to boost its ability to turn leading biomedical research into novel drugs, as it becomes the home of the highly successful Medicines Discovery Institute.
Led by Professor Simon Ward and Professor John Atack, the institute will bring unrivalled knowledge of the pharmaceutical sector and proven success in bringing new medicines successfully to clinic.
Professor Colin Riordan, Vice-Chancellor of Cardiff University, explained, ‘This new string to our bow will provide vital links between our researchers and the pharmaceutical industry and better allow us to translate our cutting-edge research into real products that can improve the lives of people all over the world, while putting Wales at the forefront of medical innovation.’
Part funded by the European Regional Development Fund, through the Welsh government’s Sêr Cymru scheme, the Medicines Discovery Institute will address a key challenge in the Welsh government’s strategy for science and innovation by developing novel drugs for neuroscience, cancer, and infection and immunity. The initiative complements and extends long-standing drug discovery work at Cardiff, particularly in the areas of cancer and infection. This includes work supported recently by the Welsh government under the Life Sciences National Research Network scheme in drug discovery, hosted by Cardiff University.
The Cabinet Secretary for Health, Well-being and Sport, Vaughan Gething, said, ‘I am delighted to support this exciting new initiative. It reflects the Welsh government’s commitment to supporting innovative research across sectors, in ways that will have a positive impact on the health, wellbeing, and prosperity of the people in Wales.’