Industry

Commercial collaborations with industry

We actively encourage industry partners to work closely with us in the translation of laboratory science into hospital care.

Successful commercial collaborations thrive within the Biomedical Research Centre on a number of projects, spanning a wide range of industries. These are aligned to our strategic research themes and priorities.

From large multinationals to small and medium-sized enterprises, we are always keen to strengthen our commercial links. Examples of collaborations include:

GlaxoSmithKline have partnered with the Biomedical Research Centre and The University of Manchester in the creation of the Manchester Centre for Nuclear Hormone Research in Disease.
AstraZeneca continue to work with Professor Neil Hanley to investigate beta cell development in the pancreas. The company are also working with Dr Bill Newman in developing genetic testing for patients with non-small cell lung cancer and pancreatic cancer.
Merck Serono work collaboratively to provide KRAS gene testing for the appropriate management of patients with colorectal cancer. In a second initiative, the PREDICT pharmacogenomic study of growth disorders continues with Professor Peter Clayton leading the long-term follow-up phase.
Ipsen are working with Professor Clayton in identifying short stature children with normal growth hormone levels, to assess how many have low insulin-like growth factor 1 levels and how many may have mutations in candidate genes associated with growth pathways. Professor Clayton is a recognised opinion-leader in these disorders and acts as an advisor for Pfizer and Novo Nordisk in relation to growth disorders.

Case study:

New ICON Clinical Pharmacology Unit

In September 2010, ICON Development Solutions officially opened their new, purpose-built, 34-bed clinical pharmacology unit, located on the hospital Trust’s clinical academic campus.

ICON is a contract research organisation, providing global development services to the pharmaceutical, biotechnology and medical device industries. Their partnership with Central Manchester University Hospitals and the Biomedical Research Centre focuses on using translational medicine to speed up the development of new drugs, benefitting patients as soon as possible.

After becoming operational in July 2010, ICON’s first two months saw over 180 healthy volunteers and patients participate in research studies in the new unit.

“We as a company, and the campus as a whole, are already seeing the benefits of being an integral part of the hospital site. The interest we have seen has been tremendous."

Dr Cyril Clarke, VP of Translational Medicine at ICON plc

Events:

The Manchester Biomedical Research Centre often holds networking events where good practice can be shared and future collaborations between industry and clinicans can be discussed.

To find out more about such events, please watch the Better Healthcare Through Digital Technologies event video

All Manchester Biomedical Research Centre events can be found on our events page.

Contact:

For more information on our interactions with industry or to enquire about potential collaborations, please view the Using our Facilities page or contact:

Keith Chantler

Director of Innovation