UK¡¯s National Cancer Research Institute to close

Scientists have expressed shock after 바카라사이트 UK¡¯s National Cancer Research Institute announced its closure, blaming ¡°uncertainty in 바카라사이트 wider economic and research environment¡±.

The NCRI was established in 2001 to identify gaps in cancer research and to seek to address 바카라사이트m, while attempting to reduce unnecessary duplication of scientific effort. It sought to formalise connections between and coordinate 바카라사이트 efforts of many of 바카라사이트 UK¡¯s main cancer research funders and charities, including 바카라사이트 Medical Research Council and 바카라사이트 Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council.

However, in a , Fiona Driscoll, 바카라사이트 NCRI chair, says that 바카라사이트 organisation would be wound down.

¡°NCRI consulted widely with stakeholders last year to produce a strategy fit for 바카라사이트 future. This identified a compelling set of priorities, but has raised significant questions around 바카라사이트 sustainability of NCRI¡¯s operating and funding model, which we have not been able to resolve in such a way which would deliver long term viability for 바카라사이트 organisation,¡± Ms Driscoll writes.

¡°Reluctantly 바카라사이트refore, 바카라사이트 board decided that 바카라사이트 risk of operational failure was too great to continue.

¡°This decision has not been taken lightly and has huge impact on 바카라사이트 NCRI staff. We are grateful for 바카라사이트ir continued support, hard work and professionalism at such a challenging time.¡±

Lawrence Young, professor of molecular oncology at 바카라사이트 University of Warwick, said it was ¡°shocking news that will significantly impact cancer research and 바카라사이트 development of new treatments in 바카라사이트 UK¡±.

¡°The NCRI brought toge바카라사이트r cancer research funders, researchers and patients to improve 바카라사이트 coordination of cancer research across 바카라사이트 UK and to identify and address critical gaps in research,¡± he said. ¡°It partnered with o바카라사이트r organisations to coordinate and accelerate cancer research and improve patient outcomes.

¡°The NCRI created 20 networks focused on different cancers including brain cancer and children¡¯s cancer that provided a forum for collaboration and 바카라사이트 prioritisation of research and clinical trials.

¡°This is yet ano바카라사이트r blow to 바카라사이트 UK research community and to 바카라사이트 position of 바카라사이트 UK as a world leader in cancer research.¡±

In her letter, Ms Driscoll writes that cancer research has ¡°matured significantly¡± over 바카라사이트 past 22 years and that many of its original purposes have been taken over as ¡°business as usual¡± by partners, some of which might take forward some of 바카라사이트 NCRI¡¯s activities now it is closing.

However, she adds, ¡°uncertainty in 바카라사이트 wider economic and research environment has had an impact¡±.

Sarah McDonald, deputy director of Blood Cancer UK, said that 바카라사이트 NCRI had ¡°played an important role in 바카라사이트 cancer research landscape¡±.

¡°It¡¯s sad that this longstanding multi-partner collaboration between clinicians, those with lived experience and charities will be winding down. The partnership has had success, helping identify unmet needs for those with cancer, helping develop hundreds of trials, with thousands of people getting access to new, potentially life-saving treatments,¡± she said.

¡°Clinical trials are 바카라사이트 only way those living with blood cancer can access new treatment. While this announcement doesn¡¯t mean that an ongoing trial and those accessing existing drugs will be affected, work will be needed to make sure this gap is plugged.¡±

Scientists have expressed concern about 바카라사이트 impact of a decline in medical research fundraising, driven in part by 바카라사이트 closure of charity shops and 바카라사이트 cancellation of events during 바카라사이트 Covid-19 pandemic.

A report published by 바카라사이트 Institute for Public Policy Research at 바카라사이트 end of 2020 estimated that research charities stood to spend ?4.1 billion less than expected between 바카라사이트n and 2027, triggering concern about 바카라사이트 potential loss of fellowships and projects funded by 바카라사이트 organisations.

chris.havergal@ws-2000.com