Pfizer donates £1 million Brighton and Sussex Medical School

Apr 20 2004

Brighton and Sussex Medical School (BSMS) is pleased to announce that it has received a £1 million donation from pharmaceutical company, Pfizer (UK).

The innovative partnership will give BSMS, which was opened by the Secretary of State for Health in October, an important financial boost.

Professor Jon Cohen, Dean of BSMS said: "The cash injection will make a significant difference to academic activity at the school.

"We are in the process of building a multi-million pound scientific research complex funded by the Science Research Investment Fund (SRIF) and this new grant will provide a welcome boost both to that development as well as underpinning the expansion of emerging research programmes, focusing on such areas as elderly care and infection".

"The grant is particularly valuable because, as uncommitted funds, it allows us to support the research programme in both clinical and basic science."

The four key research areas for BSMS are infectious diseases, ageing and elderly care, neuro-science and cancer and genetics.

Professor Ken Miles, Professor of Imaging, said: "Additional funding will accelerate the development of my work which includes non-invasive imaging techniques for assessing the blood supply to tumours. The more research we can do will hasten the transition of new anti-vascular cancer treatments from research to clinical practice."

Dr Ruth Hargreaves, Medical Manager, Pfizer UK, is looking forward to working closely with the school. She said: "This is a valuable new partnership for us where we are hoping to develop a number of joint initiatives over the years. In particular, we plan to help the students by giving them the opportunity to acquire a variety of new business skills, specifically business management, as well as working closely with them on a selection of scientific research projects. In addition, we will also be involved in the Schools' therapeutic teaching programme and providing support to the many tutors."

The Brighton and Sussex Medical School is an equal partnership between University of Brighton and University of Sussex, working together with the NHS throughout the South East region. It is funded by the Higher Education Funding Council for England (HEFCE) and the Department of Health.

Jon Cohen added: "This is the start of a very exciting relationship and it is a real opportunity for us to learn from each other. As part of our wider plans we hope that other companies and organisations will consider the school as a worthwhile recipient in the future."