One of Liverpool’s leading experts in the Institute of Translational Medicine at the University of Liverpool believes Liverpool’s health economy is gearing up to provide potentially substantial long-term health gains in future personalised care for patients.

Specialist in pancreatic disease, Professor Robert Sutton, who is also Director of Research for LHP, Director of Research, Development and Innovation at RLBUHT and Director of the NIHR Pancreas Biomedical Research Unit, made the comments following the acclaimed Liverpool Health Partner’s (LHP) “Health is Wealth” Conference. He has also just revealed the introduction of new Biomedical Research Centre (BRC) for Liverpool.

He said:

“Establishing a BRC for Liverpool is a testament that we now have the drive and capacity in the sector to work towards substantial improvements in our health economy.

“It’s well known that the region has very large populations with heavy burdens of disease. The BRC will make a big difference in bringing bench discoveries to the bedside, with many leading investigators working alongside industrial partners to develop new health care technologies and treatments.

“Research endeavour is a slow process so we’re talking about long term benefits for patients but the creation of the centre, even though not funded by NIHR, is further good news because it also positions Liverpool more effectively when it bids for NIHR BRC funding in 2017. NIHR has been critical in advancing the translation from discoveries in medicine to creating the technologies for future treatment.”

Professor Sutton also applauded LHP and the Conference, adding:

“The Conference gave Liverpool an international platform to highlight its strength in partnerships and in driving future plans. In addition, it has given the city the opportunity to launch the BRC and it’s major new research infrastructure. This will build on our existing global specialisms in treating for example infectious and inflammatory diseases. It’s timing is critical too given how Genomics is about to change healthcare over the next 10 years.”

Luciana Berger, MP for Liverpool Wavertree and Shadow Minister for Public Health has added her support to the news:

“We need to rebalance the economy so that London is not a vortex. The health science and academic communities recognise these possibilities and are helping to lead the way.

“I’m keen that they get the support they need to make the very best use of the opportunities to boost collaborations and partnerships across cities of the North, creating the jobs and wealth we need.”

The Liverpool BRC in Personalized Health will be funded by Liverpool Health Partners’ (LHP) and the RLBUHT.