UKCMRI partners dismiss claims about research project

24 April 2008

There has been speculation in the press about the work to be carried out at the planned UK Centre for Medical Research and Innovation, a world-class facility that will deliver ground-breaking new research.

We do not - and have no plans to - work on the ebola virus or lassa fever anywhere in our establishments. Our work in the planned UK Centre for Medical Research and Innovation will be focused on diseases such as cancer, flu and malaria. These are diseases that affect people in London, the UK and throughout the world.

There have been no "warnings" to ministers by the security services about the proposed centre. We are working closely with the government so that we can listen to their views and make our plans accordingly.

It is certainly true that local residents in Somers Town are very interested in our proposals, and that is why we are holding open meetings this week at a local community hall.

This site places UKCMRI at the centre of a unique cluster of hospitals and educational institutions that are already working on some of the most important research in the world.

The UKCMRI partners are the Medical Research Council, the Wellcome Trust, Cancer Research UK and University College London.