University of Birmingham: New £30M research injection to improve treatment of inflammatory diseases
Local people with cancer and heart disease are amongst those set to benefit from a major injection of research funding which will develop new diagnostic tools and treatments for those with cancer, liver and heart disease, and many more illnesses.
The NIHR Birmingham Biomedical Research Centre has today been granted more than £30 million of funding from the National Institute for Health and Care Research, a major funder of global health research and training, to support world-leading research into inflammation and the myriad of diseases and health issues that it can cause.
The centre unites leading NHS providers led by the University Hospitals Birmingham NHS Foundation Trust and academic institutions led by the University of Birmingham. The partnership sees eight organisations working closely with charities and businesses to support research into inflammation which causes or worsens many common long-term illnesses including arthritis, liver disease and cancer.
The announcement sees the NIHR Birmingham BRC increase its funding almost 3-fold and will enable researchers to focus on eight areas of illness including heart disease, women’s health, and common complications from inflammation. It will also enable researchers to consider new tests and biomarkers for disease, health technologies including stem cells and gene therapy, patient experiences and data science.
The funding will allow us to make a step-change in our work tackling different forms of cancer, trialling new drugs for liver disease, and dealing with antimicrobial resistance.
Professor Philip Newsome
Professor Phil Newsome, Director of Research and Knowledge Transfer at the University of Birmingham’s College of Medical and Dental Sciences and Director of the NIHR Birmingham Biomedical Research Centre said:
“Inflammation plays a central role in many health conditions, with millions of people in the UK alone experiencing inflammatory diseases such as arthritis and bronchitis.
“The significant increase in funding for the NIHR Birmingham Biomedical Research Centre will enable us to provide an outstanding environment for world-leading clinical research. The funding will allow us to make a step-change in our work tackling different forms of cancer, trialling new drugs for liver disease, and dealing with antimicrobial resistance.”
Improving patient outcomes for illnesses including cancer and liver disease
Patients will benefit from the increased funding for the NIHR Birmingham BRC through collaborative research that has seen nearly 1,000 clinical trials and informed UK clinical guidelines.
Researchers will look at eight themes to continue to understand and help patients manage inflammation-based diseases including cancer, arthritis, and liver disease. The investment of the NIHR funding in biomedical research will enable clinicians, researchers, patients and supporters to find new treatments such as the development of new immunotherapies, which are types of cancer treatments to support the body to fight cancer.
Two surgeons wearing PPE operating on a patient with lights on behind them
Prior to having a liver transplant, Joy was invited to join NIHR Birmingham BRC research to better understand sarcopaenia
Patient Story – Joy
When Joy needed a liver transplant, the team at University Hospitals Birmingham involved in her care made her aware about an opportunity to take part in a trial through the BRC to better understand sarcopaenia.
In many chronic inflammatory diseases, including liver disease, loss of muscle mass and strength (sarcopaenia) occurs. Importantly sarcopaenia contributes to poor patient quality of life, reduced ability to cope with challenges such as surgery or infection and higher risk of death. The NIHR Birmingham BRC has been investigating inflammatory sarcopaenia to find the best treatments and support for patients who experience inflammation-related muscle loss.
Joy said: “It was interesting to be made aware of muscle loss and to be encouraged to do tests [to assess sarcopaenia]. Following the two-day assessment, I was encouraged to increase protein in my diet because of muscle loss and the trial reinforced how important that was. I think the trial made me feel like I was doing something positive at a time when some things in my life were dampening down.”
“After the transplant, one of the first people I saw in hospital was a member of the research team. She had heard I had had the op and made a point of dropping by. We had a lovely chat. As a beneficiary of liver transplant and the improving outcomes for liver transplant patients, I am heartily in favour of research in this as well as other medical fields.”
Tim Jones, Chief Innovation Officer, at University Hospitals Birmingham NHS Foundation Trust said:
“We are delighted with the award to the NIHR Birmingham BRC which builds on our successful track record of joint working in Inflammatory disease, the award will significantly support the acceleration of new discoveries for the benefit of our patients”.