Manchester research hub appoints industry liaison
pharmafile | August 19, 2009 | News story | Research and Development |Â Â Academic, NHSÂ
The Manchester Biomedical Research Centre (BRC) has appointed a new industry-facing executive to forge new research links with the industry.
Dr Penny Johnson, previously director of research, UK, at living cell therapies developer Intercytex is the BRC's new industry liaison officer.
Established in April 2008 with £35 million of funding, Manchester BRC is a tie-up between the Trust and Manchester University.
Manchester is just one of 12 new BRCs which aim to translate laboratory research into clinical practice in the UK. Although all BRCs a business development remit, Manchester is thought to be the first to have come up with such a specific post.
"The bottom line is to increase patient benefit in the region," says Johnson, not least since the BRC is partly bankrolled by the North West Regional Development Agency as well as the National Institute for Health Research.
She says the North West is home to a major cluster of biopharma and healthcare businesses, but links with academia and NHS bodies could be stronger.
"There is a lot of world class research and innovation in the Central Manchester University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust and that shouldnt just stay within the Trust," she adds.
Her role will be to develop new partnerships between the NHS, academic institutions and companies who can turn research into new treatments. "Industry will exploit these great ideas," continues Johnson. "Britain underperforms in terms of start-up clinical trials, but we have great researchers so theres a drive to get industry in to help with that. There is a real drive to get trials up and running here."
Johnson insists she will engage with all types of firms and interests in the healthcare arena.
"We need to put together a rational approach to industry, from the smallest companies in the area to the largest, like AstraZeneca and Wyeth," she says.
"We have to say: these are the capabilities we have and the areas of specialism where we excel."
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