Step forward for new cancer research centre

Cambridge City Council approved the creation of temporary car parking and a new link road at their planning committee meeting last Wednesday. As part of the initial work, the University's archaeological Department will be undertaking work on the site over the next few months.

Cancer affects roughly one in three patients in the UK and kills 3,000 people every week. Research is the most powerful tool we have in our armoury to fight the disease. The advances in fundamental biological science, many of which stem from pioneering scientific work in Cambridge, now promise to revolutionise our understanding of the cancer process.

The University has established a partnership with Cancer Research UK to bring about the next stage in the development of its cancer programme. The partnership of Addenbrooke's Hospital, Cancer Research UK and the University will make Cambridge one of the world's leading cancer research centres.

The proposed development will incorporate a first phase of 14,000m² and a future phase of 16,000m². Situated in the north-west of the Addenbrooke's NHS Trust Campus; the development also includes a multi-storey car park and identifies a 'land bank' for future development of up to 280 staff residences to be provided by Trust.

The University's Vice-Chancellor, Professor Sir Alec Broers, welcomed the news that once again the city's reputation has been recognised as a world leader in the field of medical science.
"The partnership between the University of Cambridge and Cancer Research UK will lead to an outstanding new cancer research initiative that will take advantage of Cambridge's huge investment in genetics, its world-renowned hospital and the scientific excellence of Cancer research UK" he said. "This new centre will make a unique contribution to cancer research and, in doing so, hopes to alleviate a major cause of human suffering in the future."

Sir Paul Nurse, Director of Cancer Research UK highlighted the need to make a real difference to the lives of those affected by cancer.
"This is a great opportunity to combine the scientific excellence of Imperial Cancer and the University to accelerate our progress against cancer," he said. "With the support of patients at Addenbrooke's, we will be able to ensure that our scientific research can be used to help people as quickly as possible."

The new Cancer Research Centre is being procured by the University's Estate Management and Building Service who have engaged Anshen Dyer as architects for the project.