Funding for Precision Medicine research

Nearly £10 million has been awarded to four research projects over the next four years to improve the targeting of treatments for patients with serious illness

The research will look at how treatments for those with diabetes, multiple sclerosis and liver disease, and patients in critical care, can be made more effective and targeted.

The £9.75 million funding has been made through Precision Medicine Alliance Scotland (PMAS) - a Programme for Government commitment to support research in precision medicine. Precision Medicine is the tailoring of medical treatment to the individual characteristics of each person.  

NHS Lothian and NHS Tayside, with their associated universities of the University of Edinburgh and University of Dundee, were the successful research projects.

Health Secretary Humza Yousaf said:

“This research will tackle health conditions of major importance in Scotland, including diseases that disproportionately impact on those at risk of socioeconomic disadvantage. The results will help form a basis for us to look at how treatments can be targeted at those suffering from conditions which can be debilitating.

“Even in the midst of a global pandemic it is important that we continue to look to the future and ensure our health service is always delivering excellent, targeted healthcare, that delivers the best possible outcomes for patients. That is why investing in innovative areas like Precision Medicine is so important for Scotland’s NHS and the people it cares for.”

Background

NHS Lothian and the University of Edinburgh will conduct research around critical care, liver disease and multiple sclerosis while NHS Tayside and the University of Dundee will carry out research relating to diabetes.