A pioneering joint initiative between UoS and the University Hospital Southampton (UHS) NHS Foundation Trust to deliver the Institute for Medical Innovation (IMI) has today been announced.
Bringing researchers and medics together in a brand-new building to accelerate medical research and innovation, the 拢100m IMI facility will be based on the Southampton General Hospital site.
The IMI will champion interdisciplinary research by uniting expertise in medicine, computer science, and engineering. By adopting innovative working practices 鈥� including shared laboratories, offices, and support spaces 鈥� our University will be ready to meet the growing demand for cross-disciplinary collaboration, increasingly vital to modern research. Adopting more efficient use of space will also reduce our carbon footprint, generating a positive sustainable impact.
Underpinned by investment from the University and a ground-breaking fundraising campaign to be launched in 2026, the IMI will equip medical researchers with the tools and technologies needed to deliver life-changing medical outcomes.
Having recently entered the RIBA 2 (Concept Design) phase, the IMI will be positioned next to the Centre for Cancer Immunology (CCI), Institute of Developmental Sciences (IDS) and Somers buildings on the hospital site. This key positioning with strategic adjacencies will enable the formation of a strengthened research quarter.
Our Vice-Chancellor, Professor Mark E. Smith, said:
鈥淎t the IMI we’ll be able to make bigger and faster breakthroughs than ever before.
鈥淏ringing our world-leading researchers and medical professions together, while giving them access to the best technology and data at their fingertips, will provide a beacon of hope.
“The IMI will put Southampton at the heart of medical discovery.鈥�
Chief executive at University Hospital Southampton, David French, said: 鈥淲e have a long and successful partnership with the University of Southampton, bringing the worlds of research and medical innovation closer together to the benefit of our patients.
鈥淭his new initiative will further strengthen that bond by attracting the brightest minds and pioneering discovery to our city to help further our understanding and treatment of life-limiting conditions.鈥�
Construction of the IMI is due to commence in 2027.