Solent LEP investment helps UK’s first cancer immunology centre hit £25m target

A £4.5m investment from Solent LEP has helped a world-leading Centre for Cancer Immunology hit its £25m funding target.

The development of the UK’s first dedicated Centre for Cancer Immunology will support innovation in the field of immunology research, and place the Solent firmly on the map as a global Centre of Excellence for the development and delivery of new therapies that will cure cancer.

The investment will also create a significant number of new jobs in the area and place the Solent in the driving seat as the location for next generation of cancer therapies, accelerating the growth of the Life Sciences Sector and new business growth clustering around the facility to leverage off its global expertise.

Solent LEP Chief Executive, Anne-Marie Mountifield, said:

"I am delighted that the Centre of Cancer Immunology has reached its funding target, and am very proud of the LEP’s contribution towards this. The centre has the potential to save many lives and play a leading role in the development of cancer research. It will also make a huge difference by providing a clinical mass of personnel and technology in life sciences for the Solent region that will benefit many businesses."

To celebrate achieving its goal, the University of Southampton is encouraging people to help spread the news in the run up to World Cancer Day on 4 Feb 2018. It is asking them to wear something white and share photos on social media using the hashtag #WearingWhite.

More details on the fundraising announcement are available here