University named as part of the Leeds centre for precision medicine

The Leeds Academic Health Partnership (LAHP) has been involved in an initiative to bring a centre of excellence in precision medicine to the city.

Precision medicine

Precision medicine uses diagnostic tests and data-based insights to understand a patient's disease more precisely and so select treatments with more predictable, safer, cost-effective outcomes. The UK’s research and clinical expertise, combined with government’s major investment in relevant research infrastructure, has placed it in a leading position in this area.

The Leeds centre brings together ten statutory organisations in Leeds: the city’s six NHS organisations, its three universities and Leeds City Council – into a formal partnership. The aim of the partnership is to harness academic, clinical and professional expertise in order to improve health outcomes, reduce health inequalities and drive economic growth.

Sir Alan Langlands, chair of the Leeds Academic Health Partnership, said: “This is the first major success for the Leeds Academic Health Partnership and we are delighted that the city has been chosen to be a regional centre of excellence in precision medicine. We look forward to bringing wide-ranging research to bear in the field of precision medicine, ensuring better health and better care for people in Leeds and the wider region.”

Each centre will act as a hub for regional precision medicine activities within the UK-wide network, co-ordinated from the Precision Medicine Catapult's Cambridge headquarters. The Precision Medicine Catapult is a UK Government initiative, established and part-funded through Innovate UK, the UK’s innovation agency, and is part of a network of Catapults across different fields.

Activities across all centres will include support of major clinical and data programmes, such as testing of new precision medicine ready clinical trial models and the development of NHS adoption routes.

John McKinley, CEO of the Precision Medicine Catapult, said: “We're delighted to announce the location of these centres of excellence, each with access to a unique blend of regional expertise.”

Universities and Science Minister Jo Johnson said: “The UK is a world leader in the life sciences and we are committed to strengthening our capability in this crucial industry. These centres of excellence will support researchers across the country in developing precision medicine technologies that will save lives and help grow the sector.”

Read more about the Leeds Centre.  

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