The Institute of Cancer Research, London, has joined the Imperial College Academic Health Science Centre (AHSC).

The Imperial College AHSC is a strategic University-NHS partnership that aims to accelerate the translation of scientific breakthroughs into innovative ways to provide patient care. 

The Imperial College AHSC was the UK's first AHSC, formed in 2007 and subsequently gaining Department of Health and Social Care designation. Its existing members are Imperial College London, Imperial College Healthcare NHS Trust, The Royal Marsden NHS Foundation Trust and Royal Brompton & Harefield NHS Foundation Trust. 

Now, with the addition of  The Institute of Cancer Research (ICR), the Imperial College AHSC will bring these five world-leading, West London-based institutions together around their medical research, clinical care and education missions. 

Working together

The ICR already works in close partnership with existing members of the AHSC to help create breakthrough cancer treatments, improve diagnosis, and find new ways to prevent the disease.  

One example of this is the Cancer Research UK Convergence Science Centre at The Institute of Cancer Research and Imperial College London.  The Centre aims to bring together experts from different scientific disciplines such as physics, data science, engineering biological sciences and medicine to speed up scientific discovery and innovation for people with cancer and create new treatments and technologies. 

The ICR also works with partners to provide research and education opportunities for the next generation of scientists from clinical and non-clinical backgrounds.  

Professor Jonathan Weber, Director of Imperial College AHSC, said: “Over the last 10 years, the AHSC has worked to turn science and engineering advances into new, practical ways to prevent and treat diseases.   

“We have developed new treatments and technologies that are improving the lives of patients, as well as new ideas and medical devices that reduce health care costs and enhance public health. We are also commercialising research to further disseminate our work and deliver societal and economic benefit in the UK and around the world.   

“With the added weight of the ICR, expansion of our AHSC membership will enable us to further develop our ambitious programme to improve clinical care through research, education and training especially in cancer, so that our impact is not just felt in our organisations but by patients, health services and wider society.” 

Professor Paul Workman, Chief Executive and President of The Institute of Cancer Research, London, said: 

“We are excited to partner with Imperial College AHSC and bring together our shared ambitions for world-leading research to help solve problems in complex diseases such as cancer, as well as educating and training the next generation of researchers and clinicians, and delivering innovative, practice-changing clinical trials that will improve and extend people’s lives.  This new partnership represents a great opportunity for us all to align strategically to help us in our mission to defeat cancer.” 

Professor Alice Gast, President of Imperial College London, added: "The ICR is a natural partner for Imperial. Our combined expertise strengthens our ability to solve major health challenges in the UK and internationally. Imperial College AHSC is ready to excel in research and education for the benefit of society.”