The Paterson Building Officially Opens
“Partnership is the Greater Manchester way”. Those words were said by Andy Burnham Mayor of Greater Manchester and perfectly described the important milestone that was celebrated on the 17th July 2024.
The Paterson Building has been officially opened. This milestone is a testament to the hard work and unwavering commitment of the MCRC partnership and marks the completion of a journey that began seven years ago with a devastating fire. Now, after six years of development, and one year since construction finished and researchers, clinicians and administrative staff began moving in, we can celebrate and mark the next phase of cancer research in Manchester.
Located in Withington, South Manchester, the Paterson Building represents the embodiment of Manchester’s commitment to cancer research and finding new cures for cancer. Co-locating 700 researchers, clinicians, and administrative staff, and directly connecting a research facility with The Christie, one of Europe’s largest cancer hospitals, Manchester has developed the facilities and expertise to be one of the world’s leading comprehensive cancer centres.
Seven years on from the devastating fire, we cannot understate the remarkable journey we have been on that has resulted in this new cancer research building. The Paterson Building now stands as a monument to our commitment to cancer research in Manchester and a testament to the successful and powerful tripartite partnership between The University of Manchester, Cancer Research UK, and The Christie.
Professor Nic Jones
Director of Strategic Initiatives, Manchester Cancer Research Centre
The facilities now available in Manchester provides opportunities for researcher to collaborate, share ideas, drive innovative science, and ultimately find new treatments for cancer.
The official opening was a prime opportunity to share this significant milestone with the many people who have contributed to making the Paterson Building a reality. The special guest of the day was Nobel-Prize winning scientist Professor Sir Paul Nurse who officially unveiled the plaque to mark the opening of the building.
The afternoon was featured talks from Roger Spencer, Iain Foulkes, and Nancy Rothwell who all affirmed the commitment of The Christie, CRUK and The University of Manchester respectively to cancer research in Manchester. Andy Burnham also joined to confirm Greater Manchester’s commitment to research power in the north of England. However, it was Adele Adams personal journey of how she navigated non-Hodgkin lymphoma that truly captured the audience. Research is for people like Adele offering opportunities to join clinical trials and experimental medicines that extend life and allow us to overcome cancer.
More than 200 people joined us to celebrate including leaders and representatives of the MCRC Partnership: The University of Manchester, Cancer Research UK and The Christie and other cancer organisations across Manchester, patients, philanthropists whose generosity helped make the building a reality, the PhD students and academics whose research was disrupted by the loss of the former research facility, representatives of the building contractors and designers, and the descendants of Ralston and Edith Paterson – whose legacy led to the Paterson Building being named in their honour.
Roger Spencer, Chief Executive at The Christie
During his presentation at the official opening, Roger focusing on the benefits patients will see from the new facility through additional clinical trials and novel research and chaired the event.
Adele Adams
Adele took the audience through an emotive and personal cancer journey from being diagnosed with stage 4 non-Hodgkin lymphoma to undertaking a clinical trial that has given her hope.
Andy Burnham, Mayor of Greater Manchester
Andy spoke about the importance of research to the Greater Manchester region and how Manchester has become a powerhouse for cancer research over the past 20 years.
Professor Dame Nancy Rothwell, President of The University of Manchester
Nancy spoke about how cancer research is a research strength at The University of Manchester, reflective in the university’s Cancer Beacon
Dr Iain Foulkes, Executive Director of Research and Innovation at Cancer Research UK
Iain spoke about the unwavering support CRUK offered at the time of the fire and the commitment to the Institute and other CRUK research in Manchester.
Professor Sir Paul Nurse, Chief Executive of The Crick
Paul officially unveiled the plaque commemeratin the official opening of the Paterson Building.
The Paterson Building opening triggers the next phase of cancer research in Manchester. Thanks to the co-location of laboratory and clinical researchers, ideas and innovation will be free-flowing that we hope will enable more research to be translated into the clinic and double the number of patients who can access a clinical trial by 2030.
Professor Robert Bristow
Director, Manchester Cancer Research Centre
Rising like a phoenix from the ashes of the devastating fire in 2017, the new facility is now home to researchers from Cancer Research UK Manchester Institute, Division of Cancer Sciences at The University of Manchester and Research and Innovation Team at The Christie NHS Foundation Trust.
With the building complete and open, our cancer research continues. Leveraging the new world-leading laboratory and clinical facilities and the great minds we have assembled in Manchester, our aim is to drive new discoveries into the clinic. By 2030, we hope to double our portfolio of clinical trials and offer more patients access to potentially life-saving treatments. The next phase of cancer research has now begun in Manchester.
All images provided courtesy of The Christie NHS Foundation Trust.
Left to Right: Andy Burnham, Dr Iain Foulkes, Professor Dame Nancy Rothwell, Professor Sir Paul Nurse, Roger Spencer, Adele Adams, Professor Nic Jones, Professor Caroline Dive, Lord-Lieutenant of Greater Manchester, Diane Hawkins, and Professor Robert Bristow at the official opening of the Paterson Building on 17th July 2024.
