From Targeted Therapeutics to Next-Generation Medicines

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The need for innovation in healthcare is a key EPSRC priority, recognising that improvements to the health of UK citizens require step changes in the science and technology underlying diagnosis and treatment. Collaborative research, linking the engineering, physical and life sciences across academy and industry, and supported by the research councils, has been a crucial factor in establishing the UK pharmaceuticals sector as second only to the US in the discovery of new medicines. In this proposal we set out an extension and enhancement to the UK's first pharmaceutical sciences Doctoral Training Centre (DTC) joint-funded by industry, the EPSRC/AstraZeneca Doctoral Training Centre in Targeted Therapeutics. The first four years of the Targeted Therapeutics DTC have seen the successful establishment of 20 new collaborative PhD programs with AstraZeneca, 27 papers, patents or conference contributions, 35 new training projects and a vibrant community of highly talented multidisciplinary research students. A total of 15.1 million in grants related to Targeted Therapeutics has been awarded to DTC project leaders since 2006 and 43 principal researchers are now working together across the University of Nottingham and four AstraZeneca sites. To build on the successes of this unique centre we now seek to extend the DTC further into exciting new science and training programs that address the emerging needs of the pharmaceuticals sector in predictive science, complex formulations and biotherapeutics. As a School we are already investing strongly in the 'Next Generation Medicines' area, with new staff positions and studentships. We now request funds from the EPSRC initially to train a further cohort of 5 PhD students over 4 years, with a view to establishing connecting scientific projects prior to a bid for 2 extra cohorts in 2011. The timing for this two-stage bid is crucial owing to recent changes in AstraZeneca and the closure of their Loughborough site, as it will bridge a funding gap as the company consolidates its core science areas. The extension of the Targeted Therapeutics DTC into a new Centre for Doctoral Training will prepare UK scientists to be in the forefront of the international industry as it introduces the sophisticated therapies forming the 'next-generation' family of targeted and personalised medicines.