Sign up for our e-newsletter £11m jab in the arm for stem cell research
The Sunday Herald, September 18, 2005THE UK Stem Cell Foundation has raised more than GBP11 million from business leaders, government and research agencies in just a few short months as it races ahead with its challenge to keep Britain at the forefront of developing stem cell therapies.
The charity is backed by several trustees including biotech venture capitalist Chris Evans, Richard Branson and exchairman of GlaxoSmithKline, Richard Sykes. It aims to provide GBP100m in funding to companies and academics to take projects from the laboratories into pre-clinical trials and eventually to patients.
Scientists believe that stem cells, which can multiply and change into any type of cells found in the body, could lead to a cure for conditions such as Parkinson's disease. But there are concerns that Britain could lose its scientific edge to other, better-resourced countries.
David Macauley, chief executive of the UK Stem Cell Foundation, said that the organisation had made considerable strides recently and was reviewing seven adult projects, including four from Scottish researchers.
All projects are being reviewed by a newly-established joint board with the Medical Research Council.
The foundation has also struck a strategic relationship with the life sciences team at Scottish Enterprise and is in the process of establishing an office in the central belt.
"We're going to work together over the next five years to develop a range of projects, " Macauley said, adding that the move would involve accessing funds from government schemes such as Scottish Enterprise's Proof of Concept, the CoInvestment Fund, the Royal Society Fellowship scheme and the Intermediary Technology Institutes initiative.
"All of those schemes are like spokes on a wheel and hopefully we can get projects around that wheel faster than in the past, " he added.
The foundation has also been working closely with John Ansell, the driving force behind the Scottish Stem Cell Network, which brings together NHS clinicians, academics and field researchers.
Macauley has been heavily involved in the UK government review into how to best help stem cell research efforts, which is due to report at the end of this month.
by Julia Fields
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