New rheumatoid arthritis centre aims to develop new therapies

The team: Chris Buckley, Iain MacInnes and John Isaacs

 A major new rheumatoid arthritis research centre had secured £2.5m funding. And the three centres involved in the quest to meet the needs of 400,000 people with rheumatoid arthritis have each committed an extra £4m funding over five years.

The Arthritis Research UK Rheumatoid Arthritis Pathogenesis Centre of Excellence is a collaboration between the Universities of Glasgow, Newcastle and Birmingham. Headed by Prof Iain McInnes from the University of Glasgow, the ultimate aim of the centre is to develop new therapies.

“We’re really excited about the opportunities this new centre brings, and the consequent collaboration with basic scientists, clinicians and industrial partners who all want to make a difference,” says Prof McInnes.”There is a massive unmet need for better treatments for rheumatoid arthritis; there is no cure, and many people are still suffering. We now have a fantastic chance of doing something about it.”