New five-year funding awarded to NIHR Moorfields Clinical Research Facility
The NIHR Moorfields Clinical Research Facility has received a new five-year funding term to facilitate novel therapies and technologies to preserve sight.
The National Institute for Health Research (NIHR) has today announced a nearly £160 million funding award for the next five years to 28 NIHR Clinical Research Facilities across England. This is a £49 million (43%) increase from the previous term, with the aim to expand early-phase clinical research delivery in NHS hospitals.
The NIHR Moorfields Clinical Research Facility (CRF) is part of an internationally renowned partnership between Moorfields Eye Hospital and UCL Institute of Ophthalmology that includes our NIHR Moorfields Biomedical Research Centre (BRC). Receiving this five-year funding is a monumental milestone for our NIHR CRF, as it will ensure that the facility’s innovative and world-leading research, in progress since 2007, can continue to break new ground.
Our NIHR CRF has previously pioneered laboratory discoveries that have translated into benefits for people with eye conditions in the NHS and globally, including:
The world’s first gene therapy trial to treat Leber's congenital amaurosis (LCA), a rare inherited eye disease.
The first stem cell membrane therapy trial to treat age-related macular degeneration (AMD).
These advances have boosted our facility’s and the UK’s international reputation for experimental eye treatments and attracted industry investment, underpinned by funding from the NIHR.
NIHR Moorfields CRF Director Professor Sobha Sivaprasad said:
“We are thrilled that we have received this award for the next five-year term. I am immensely proud of our achievements to date, but there is more to do. We are at a turning-point in ophthalmology and it is vital that we seize the momentum, especially in areas from gene, cell, innovative laser, surgical and drug therapies through to artificial intelligence. It is an exciting time, and this investment will ensure that our remarkable researchers and clinicians, who are demonstrating true leadership, have the infrastructure to deliver our eminent research portfolio.”
NIHR Moorfields BRC Research and Development Director Professor Sir Peng Tee Khaw said:
“Patients and members of the public have voted vision as the most precious sense by far, and the NIHR Moorfields Clinical Research Facility has pioneered the translation of innovative laboratory discoveries for patient benefit. The Government’s investment will allow us to continue to support skilled personnel and cutting-edge research facilities to accelerate world-leading treatments and technologies that will benefit people throughout the NHS and beyond.”
Find out more
In the media
Health Business – Funding boost for delivery of early stage clinical research
Islington Now - World-leading eye hospital gets funding for cutting edge research
For more information about the new funding award or the NIHR Moorfields BRC, contact our Communications Manager, Helen Khan: h.khan@ucl.ac.uk