One NorthEast £9.8million investment into stem cell technologies 30/11/05

One NorthEast board today (30th November 2005) approved a £9.8million investment that will create a regional stem cell research institute that aims to become one of the world’s top 10 stem cell research centres by 2010.

It will allow the North East to compete on the world stage and is yet further evidence of the region’s worldwide reputation as a leader in this rapidly growing industry.

Investment will create 25 jobs comprising mainly scientists and technicians to complement existing staff across the region who will assist the conversion of the region’s excellence in stem cell research and technologies into cost-effective, ethically-robust 21st century health solutions to improve degenerative diseases, the effects of ageing and serious injury.

A funding package of nearly £25million has been put together by One NorthEast, the University of Durham and the University of Newcastle to establish the regional Institute of Stem Cell Biology and Regenerative Medicine (ISCBRM) which will be a major contributor to the development of the future regional economy.

The Institute is a key component of the Science City initiative and will complement the Newcastle’s International Centre for Life building on genuine world-class strengths in the North East to develop the capacity and infrastructure of a nationally and internationally competitive ISCBRM.

Stem Cells is one of the four main research initiatives of Science City to create a critical mass of research activity and enable the region to become known as one of the top 10 places in the world to do science. The Institute will build on existing strengths to sustain the lead that the North East has already built.

Alan Clarke, One NorthEast Chief Executive said: “The Institute aims to allow the region to continue developing as one of the world’s top stem cell research centres. Given the international competition, this is ambitious but thanks to the world-class people who will be involved, it’s a very real aim.

“The Institute is a key component of our Science City plans, which aim to establish Newcastle and the region as a whole as one of the world’s most favourable locations for science and related business.

“The North East is now very much at the cutting edge of research and development into areas such as stem cell technologies which are essential to the future of science and young people in the region, also bringing all the potential economic benefits to our region in terms of high quality jobs, increased international profile and business development.”

The most immediate manifestation of the project will be to build facilities at the International Centre for Life, complying with ‘Good Manufacturing Practice (GMP)’ regulations. GMP is the set of guidelines that govern the pharmaceutical and bio-processing industries.

By creating two facilities – one in the Newcastle Fertility Centre at Life, run by the Newcastle-upon-Tyne Hospitals NHS and an adjacent stem cell laboratory occupied by Newcastle University scientists –stem cells of sufficient quality will be produced to be capable in the future, of being put in to people for therapeutic purposes. This will truly put the region into a world leading position.

Chris Pywell, Head of Innovation, Industry and Science at One NorthEast said: “The Institute will significantly strengthen our science base creating a therapeutic application of stem cell science addressing at least one of the disease targets such as blood, cornea, diabetes, heart, liver and skin illnesses.

“It will make the North East the most supportive region in the UK for scientists who want to work in this exciting field, creating a critical mass of scientists and entrepreneurs which we hope will attract significant funding for our work from the UK Stem Cell Initiative and the UK Stem Cell Foundation among others.”

Professor Michael Whitaker chairs the Institute’s Board and Executive Committee and added: “Taken in its entirety, stem cell science in the North East is in the perhaps unique position of working on all types of stem cells: embryonic; somatic (‘adult’); and those derived from cord blood. By bringing teams working on all of these aspects together, exploring scientific interactions and possible applications, we are confident that the region can develop into one of the top stem cell centres in the world.”

Prof Whitaker, who is Dean of Development of the Faculty of Medical Sciences at the University of Newcastle, also said: ‘This announcement is excellent news, for the University, for our partners and for the region as a whole. One NorthEast’s support will enable us to move to the next stage of development.”

In addition, new facilities at Durham University will provide a high-level service to stem cell scientists across the region in proteomics, imaging and polymer chemistry. New technical support facilities in fluorescent cell sorting and microscopy among others will also be available to scientists all over the North East contributing to the provision of state-of-the-art facilities for the region.

Sir Kenneth Calman, Vice-Chancellor of Durham University welcomed the announcement saying: "The new Institute of Stem Cell Biology is an excellent example of the leading research-intensive universities in the North East working in close collaboration with NHS Trusts to pool research expertise and create a new institute of international standing.

“The Institute of Stem Cell Biology will offer Durham the opportunity to expand its own Centre for Stem Cell Biology and Regenerative Medicine and work towards translational stem cell research. Durham stem cell research is likely to have an impact on real patients' lives, through the creation of new drugs, diagnostic tools and new spin out companies, within a three to five year period."

Len Fenwick, Chief Executive of Newcastle upon Tyne Hospitals said: “This investment is of fundamental importance and shall ensure the platform of established research is secured and moves forward as part of a development phase that in turn shall lead to tangible benefits and health and economy alike.”

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