Oxford-GSK Institute of Molecular and Computational Medicine to Be Established

GlaxoSmithKline and Oxford University are establishing the Oxford-GSK Institute of Molecular and Computational Medicine to research hard-to-treat diseases. GSK is investing GBP 30 million in the new institute being created in collaboration with Oxford University. The institute will aim to increase R&D success for new medicines developed for hard-to-treat diseases such as Alzheimer's and Parkinson's through advanced technologies and insights derived from genetic research. GSK and Oxford University announced the launch of a 5-year collaboration to establish the 'Oxford-GSK Institute of Molecular and Computational Medicine'. Based at Oxford University, this new institute will combine insights from human genetics with advanced technologies such as functional genomics and machine learning to focus on increasing R&D success for new medicines used in treating complex diseases like Alzheimer's and Parkinson's.

Leading the healthcare sector

The institute, which will be established with GBP 30 million in support from GSK, is intended to lead and provide insights to the healthcare sector on how new medicines are discovered and developed. Scientists from GSK and Oxford University at the institute will prioritize early-stage R&D programs with the highest likelihood of success and help match these programs with patients who have the highest probability of responding to treatment. UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson commented on the matter: "During the pandemic, we witnessed how the creativity and pioneering spirit of British scientists in R&D contributed to the rapid development of medicines and vaccines worldwide. I am pleased to see GSK and Oxford University entering into such a strong collaboration to combat complex diseases like Alzheimer's and Parkinson's." GSK CEO Emma Walmsley stated: "We are delighted to bring this institute to life together with Oxford University. The Oxford-GSK Institute, which combines the strengths of two established scientific institutions, exemplifies England's dedicated work and passion in the life sciences field. As with everything we do, our aim in this institute will be to develop new and better medicines for patients." Oxford University Pro-Vice-Chancellor Professor Louise Richardson made the following comments: "On behalf of my colleagues at Oxford University, I wish to express our satisfaction with this new initiative we are launching with GSK. At our institute, a unique partnership will be created where Oxford University and GSK employees work shoulder to shoulder to research the most difficult-to-treat diseases." Neuro-immunological mechanism-driven diseases such as Alzheimer's, Parkinson's, Multiple Sclerosis (MS), Frontotemporal Dementia, Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS) and Pain will be core research areas of the Oxford-GSK Institute. In addition to benefiting from existing expertise at both GSK and Oxford, the institute will employ multiple new research groups and will provide five GSK/Oxford scholarships to early-career researchers.