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Treasury Commits £2 million to UKSCF following Stem Cell Initiative Report

2 December 2005

The Government today announced that it will make £2 million matched funding available to the UK Stem Cell Foundation (UKSCF) over the next two years following recommendations made in the UK Stem Cell Initiative (UKSCI) report.

This innovative public-private partnership will ensure that all donations made to the UK Stem Cell Foundation in the next two years will effectively be doubled, up to a maximum of £1 million per annum.

UKSCF Chief Executive David Macauley said: ‘I am pleased that the Government has accepted the UKSCI recommendations and backed this up with action. What we need to do is demonstrate that the necessary private investment is secured to take advantage of these funds. We see the Government’s offering as an invitation to rise to the challenge and we intend to do so.’

The UKSCI report, launched earlier today by the Initiative’s Chairman Sir John Pattison, provides a 10 year vision and costed strategy for the development of the entire UK stem cell sector.

Translational and clinical research form a key part of the report which anticipates that by 2010 the Government will need to increase their matched funding commitment to the UKSCF to £10 million per annum in order to secure the UK’s position as a world leader in stem cell research.

Sir Richard Sykes, UKSCF Chairman said: ‘I am delighted that the report has endorsed the work of the Foundation as are my colleagues who were fundamental in initiating this sector review.’

Notes to Editors

The UK Stem Cell Foundation exists to support the advance of pioneering stem cell research into medical practice. As a registered charity it is achieving this by directly funding innovative UK clinical projects with the greatest potential for saving and improving people’s lives. For more information please visit http://www.ukscf.org.

The UK Stem Cell Initiative (UKSCI) was established by the Chancellor in his March 2005 Budget. For more information please visit: http://www.advisorybodies.doh.gov.uk/uksci/

For a more detailed treasury response to the UKSCI report recommendations please visit: http://www.dh.gov.uk/PolicyAndGuidance/HealthAndSocialCareTopics/StemCell/fs/en

Scottish Enterprise has replicated this kind of public-private partnership for collaborative research projects north of the border. The Stem Cell Translational Investment Fund was established in 2005 offering £5 million matched funding. This fund is accessible to other organisations including the UK Stem Cell Foundation.