https://www.gosh.nhs.uk/press-releases/gosh-awarded-37-million-funding-carry-out-pioneering-paediatric-research/

GOSH awarded £37 million funding to carry out pioneering paediatric research

14 Sep 2016, 1:48 p.m.

ICH researcher using microscope

The NIHR Great Ormond Street Biomedical Research Centre (BRC) has been awarded £37 million in funding to drive forward translational research into rare diseases in children. The Centre is the only one of its kind in the UK dedicated to paediatric research.The successful application, submitted as part of an ongoing partnership between Great Ormond Street Hospital (GOSH) and University College London and its Great Ormond Street Institute of Child Health, secures BRC status for an additional five years, from 2017-2022.

The award enables basic scientific discoveries developed in laboratories to be translated into ‘first in man’ or ‘first in child’ clinical studies. These aim to accelerate discoveries into the basis of, and treatments for, childhood rare and complex diseases.

The renewed GOSH BRC project is focussed on four principal themes:

  • Gene, Stem, and Cellular Therapies
  • Genomics and Systems Medicine
  • Novel Therapies and their Translation into Childhood Diseases
  • Advanced Treatments for Structural Malformation and Tissue Damage
The GOSH BRC is one of 20 NHS and University partnerships across England to be awarded funding through the National Institute for Health Research (NIHR). It is also one of three BRCs associated with University College London (UCL), alongside University College London Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, and Moorfields.

This new funding will enable further world class discoveries at the NIHR Great Ormond Street BRC, such as developing gene therapy which create cells that kill drug resistant leukaemia – a treatment that recently saved two infants at GOSH from otherwise ‘incurable’ leukaemia.

Professor Thomas Voit, Director Designate of the NIHR Great Ormond Street Biomedical Research Centre, said:

“Today’s announcement builds on the great successes of GOSH as a pioneer in treating rare diseases of children with methods at the forefront of today’s medicine, and will allow us to develop new avenues to understand the basis of rare diseases in children and to devise specific new treatments.

“Our successful application is testament to the dedicated support of patients and families who tirelessly help investigators and doctors to shape our research hospital of the future. Their engagement is central to all translational research efforts at GOSH.”

Dr Peter Steer, Chief Executive of Great Ormond Street Hospital for Children NHS Foundation Trust, said:

“We’re thrilled that the quality of our research has been recognised in this way, and investment made in our future programmes, all with the goal of finding treatments and cures for children with some of the rarest and most complex conditions.

“Our pioneering research is only possible through funding and collaboration from across the UK, Europe and beyond and we know that this new funding announcement will have a powerful impact on our ability to develop new and innovative treatments for children across the country, and indeed across the world.”

Professor David Lomas, Vice-Provost Health of University College London, said: “I am delighted by this award which is a testament to the close partnership between the University and Great Ormond Street Hospital.”

Professor Rosalind Smyth, Director of the Great Ormond Street Institute of Child Health commented: “Our research is leading to new and exciting treatments for children with rare diseases, which will benefit children throughout the UK and worldwide.”

The latest award follows previous successful bids in 2007 and 2011.

Contact Information

For further information please contact the GOSH-ICH Press Office on 020 7239 3039.

For genuine and urgent out-of-hours queries call switchboard on 020 7405 9200.

Notes to Editors

About Great Ormond Street Hospital for Children NHS Foundation Trust

Great Ormond Street Hospital is one of the world’s leading children’s hospitals with the broadest range of dedicated, children’s healthcare specialists under one roof in the UK. The hospital’s pioneering research and treatment gives hope to children from across the UK with the rarest, most complex and often life-threatening conditions. Our patients and families are central to everything we do – from the moment they come through the door and for as long as they need us.

Great Ormond Street Hospital, with its academic partner, the UCL GOS Institute of Child Health, has a world leading research portfolio. Its programme is made possible through many different funding sources, such as government and charitable funding, including from Great Ormond Street Hospital Children’s Charity. You can help us to provide world class care for our patients and families. For more information visit www.gosh.org

About the NIHR Great Ormond Street Biomedical Research Centre

The Biomedical Research Centre (BRC) at Great Ormond Street Hospital (GOSH) and University College London enables the translation of basic scientific discoveries in laboratories into ‘first in man’ or ‘first in child’ clinical studies. Our research aims to accelerate discoveries into the basis of childhood rare diseases and to develop novel diagnostics, imaging techniques and new treatments, including cellular and gene therapies.

The GOSH BRC, funded by the National Institute of Health Research (NIHR), is the largest provider of financial support for research across GOSH and ICH. It aids various programmes such as the Gene and Cell Therapy Facility, GOSomics, GOSgene and the Somers Clinical Research Facility, as well as providing financial support to individual researchers and training opportunities. Visit the GOSH BRC website (http://www.gosh.nhs.uk/research-and-innovation/nihr-great-ormond-street-brc)

About The National Institute for Health Research

The National Institute for Health Research (NIHR) is funded by the Department of Health to improve the health and wealth of the nation through research. Since its establishment in April 2006, the NIHR has transformed research in the NHS. It has increased the volume of applied health research for the benefit of patients and the public, driven faster translation of basic science discoveries into tangible benefits for patients and the economy, and developed and supported the people who conduct and contribute to applied health research. The NIHR plays a key role in the Government’s strategy for economic growth, attracting investment by the life-sciences industries through its world-class infrastructure for health research. Together, the NIHR people, programmes, centres of excellence and systems represent the most integrated health research system in the world. For further information, visit the NIHR website (www.nihr.ac.uk).