NIHR Moorfields Biomedical Research Centre receives £20 million for another five years of research

The National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR) has awarded nearly £800 million to 20 new Biomedical Research Centres across England, to translate scientific discoveries into new treatments, diagnostic tests and medical technologies to improve patients’ lives.
 
Professor Sir Peng Tee Khaw, Moorfields Eye Hospital R&D Director and Co-Director of the NIHR Moorfields BRC, said: 

“I am extremely pleased that we have been awarded NIHR BRC funding for the fourth time, demonstrating our joint sites’ world-leading track record and potential for translating vision research though to patient benefit. We are excited to deliver our mission of preserving sight and driving equity through innovation, particularly for those in the greatest need. As we age, all of us are likely to be affected by an eye disorder at some point. The impact on quality of life and the cost to healthcare services and the economy due to visual impairment are vast. The NIHR BRC funding has been, and continues to be, a critical component of our mission to use research to improve the lives of people in the UK and across the world.

The NIHR Moorfields BRC has previously made discoveries in genetics, laser treatments, innovative surgical procedures, drug therapies and artificial intelligence, and has collaborated with world-leading partners to ensure the best outcomes for patients faced with visual impairments and blindness. 

Professor Andrew Dick, Director of UCL Institute of Ophthalmology and Co-Director of NIHR Moorfields BRC, said:

“The innovators, discoverers, clinicians and scientists who I have had the privilege to work with as part of the BRC have demonstrated a real difference and benefit to patients. This new funding term is exciting as we can continue to boost cutting-edge research to accelerate treatments and technologies that will mean benefit across the healthcare system, nationally and globally.

Dr Martin Kuper, CEO of Moorfields Eye Hospital, said:

“Patients and staff are at the heart of everything we do. This award will build an even stronger culture of collaboration, underpinned by our plans for Oriel, a joint Moorfields-UCL national eye care, research and education centre, where we will aim to deliver ‘sight for all’ through innovations in eye health. The BRC award provides the foundation for our collaboration to discover, develop and deliver excellent eye care.

Links

• NIHR Moorfields Biomedical Research Centre
• How NIHR Biomedical Research Centres are transforming patients' lives
• News on the NIHR BRC website