Paterson Building officially reopens
22 Jul 2024
The reopening of the Paterson Building, a testament to the hard work and commitment of the Manchester Cancer Research Centre (MCRC) partnership, was celebrated on Wednesday, 17 July 2024. Attendees included our President and Vice Chancellor Nancy Rothwell, Mayor of Greater Manchester Andy Burnham, and representatives from MCRC and the Christie NHS Foundation Trust (The Christie).
Over 200 people attended the event to commemorate and celebrate the opening of the building. Attendees included thosefromcancer organisations across Manchester, patients, the philanthropists whose generous efforts contributed to the building, PhD students, academic, and the building contractors and designers.Alongside this, the descendants of Ralston and Edith Paterson, whose legacy led to the building being named in their honour, also attended.
During the event, the University reaffirmed its commitment to cancer research in Manchester, alongside MCRC, The Christie, and CRUK. Cancer research is a strength at the University and is reflected with its own research beacon, which are key areas of research innovation where our experts are engaged in pioneering discoveries, interdisciplinary collaboration, and cross-sector partnerships.
Adele Adams, a cancer patient, was also in attendance and spoke at the event.She captured the audience by sharing her personal journey from being diagnosed with stage 4 non-Hodkin lymphoma, to eventually undertaking a clinical trial at The Christie, and the impact this has had on her life. A full account of her story has previously been published on the BBC News website.
Professor Robert Bristow, Director at MCRC, said: “With the building complete and open, our cancer research continues. Leveraging the new world-leading laboratory, clinical facilities, and the great minds we have assembled, 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 in Manchester has now begun.”
Further information about the Paterson Building
Located in Withington, the Paterson Building has reopened seven years on from a fire that badly damaged it. As part of the MCRC, a unique partnership founded in 2006 by The University, Cancer Research UK, and The Christie, the unveiling of the building comes after six years of development – and a year on from when researchers, clinicians, and administrative staff began moving in.
This development represents the embodiment of Manchester’s commitment to cancer research and finding new cures for the disease. By co-locating over 700 staff and directly connecting a research facility with The Christie, one of Europe’s largest cancer hospitals, Manchester has developed the expertise to be one of the world’s leading comprehensive cancer centres. The facilities now available provide opportunities for researchers to collaborate, share ideas, drive innovative science, and ultimately find new treatments for cancer.
The Patterson building officially opens (press release)