The University of Liverpool will lead on a project which explores the potential of pharmacogenomics - the study of how the variation of the human genome affects the efficacy and safety of medicines - it has been announced today.
The uptake of pharmacogenomics in the NHS has been slowed by lack of clear guidelines, a challenge which this project seeks to address.
The Centre for Excellence in Regulatory Science and Innovation in Pharmacogenomics project is funded via Innovate UK - the UK's innovation agency, in partnership with the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA), Office for Life Sciences, and the Medical Research Council, as one of seven Centres of Excellence for Regulatory Science and Innovation (CERSIs) announced today.
The projects, led by academic institutions, independent innovators, or regulatory leaders forming collaborative partnerships, will receive funding up to £1 million each, to lead the way in safer, faster pathways for innovative medicines and devices.
This network of centres aims to improve healthcare by simplifying how treatments move from lab bench to patient bedside. The CERSI in pharmacogenomics will focus on the development of guidelines, industry pathways for pharmacogenomic testing, educational and training platforms to upskill regulators, industry and healthcare professionals, and undertake a broad assessment of the health economics of pharmacogenomics. In addition, it will have a patient and public work package to ensure there is patient input into future pathways.
By helping researchers and businesses address regulatory challenges and opportunities, the CERSIs will help accelerate the delivery of pioneering treatments, ensuring patients benefit from cutting-edge innovations
Centre Lead Professor Sir Munir Pirmohamed said: "We are delighted to have been awarded the CERSI in pharmacogenomics, which further underscores our track record and achievements in this area. We will work with multiple stakeholders including the UK regulators and industry to develop proportionate, patient-focused and forward-looking regulatory pathways, that will drive the implementation of pharmacogenomics into the NHS for patient benefit. This also fits in with the government's focus on prevention - by making sure that patients are getting the right drugs at the right doses, we can improve efficacy, reduce safety issues, and improve patient outcomes, relieving the pressure on the NHS, and drive economic growth."
Ailsa Kennedy-Ballard, Deputy Director Innovation Programmes & Partnerships at Innovate UK said: "Innovate UK is pleased to announce these seven new CERSIs, which represent a landmark in healthcare innovation regulation. Backed by up to £1 million each, they will drive safer pathways for groundbreaking medicines and devices, ensuring the UK remains at the forefront of global medical advancements. By fostering collaboration between academia, business and regulators, these centres will pave the way for life-changing innovations to reach patients more swiftly and safely".
The Liverpool-led project will also involve collaborators from The University of Manchester, Queen Mary University of London, Bangor University, The Office of Health Economics, The British Pharmacological Society, JS O'Brien Business Solution and Alderley Lighthouse Labs.
