{"id":1007,"date":"2026-01-06T15:59:56","date_gmt":"2026-01-06T15:59:56","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/fund.southampton.ac.uk\/innovation\/?page_id=1007"},"modified":"2026-04-21T14:39:27","modified_gmt":"2026-04-21T14:39:27","slug":"about","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/fund.southampton.ac.uk\/innovation\/about\/","title":{"rendered":"About the IMI"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
\n
\n
\n

A BREAKTHROUGH OPPORTUNITY<\/h1>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n
<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n
\n
<\/div>\n\n\n\n

A BREAKTHROUGH OPPORTUNITY<\/h1>\n\n\n\n
<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n
\n
\n
<\/div>\n\n\n\n

A once-in-a-generation chance<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
\n

Diseases are taking too many of our loved ones, robbing us of our health, our independence and our futures. Our population is ageing, healthcare systems across the world are under increasing strain, and another pandemic could happen at any time. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

The good news is that there is hope. New technologies and skills are advancing rapidly, opening new possibilities. But to take advantage, traditional medical research needs to change.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Institute for Medical Innovation (IMI) is a once-in-a-generation chance<\/strong> to bring the right people together, with the right technologies, to find the answers we are looking for. By donating to the IMI, you can make this happen.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

\n
WHY SOUTHAMPTON<\/strong>?<\/a><\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n
<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n
\n
<\/div>\n\n\n\n
\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"
Artist’s impressions of the Institute for Medical Innovation<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n
<\/div>\n\n\n\n
\n
\n

A once-in-a-generation chance<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
\n

Diseases are taking too many of our loved ones, robbing us of our health, our independence and our futures. Our population is ageing, healthcare systems across the world are under increasing strain, and another pandemic could happen at any time.

The good news is that there is hope. New technologies and skills are advancing rapidly, opening new possibilities. But to take advantage, traditional medical research needs to change.<\/strong>

The Institute for Medical Innovation (IMI) is a once-in-a-generation chance<\/strong> to bring the right people together, with the right technologies, to find the answers we are looking for. By donating to the IMI, you can make this happen.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

\n
WHY SOUTHAMPTON<\/strong>?<\/a><\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n
<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n
\n
\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n
\"\"<\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

Artist’s impressions of the Institute for Medical Innovation<\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/div>\n\n\n\n
\n

A common thread<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

At first glance, diseases such as cancer, dementia, sight loss, infection and respiratory illness may seem very different. But they all share one critical connection: the human immune system.<\/strong>

In cancer<\/strong>, the immune system can fail to detect and destroy damaged cells. In dementia <\/strong>and some forms of sight loss<\/strong>, the immune system becomes overactive, triggering damaging inflammation in the brain or the eye. In infection<\/strong>, illness can occur when immunity is too weak to fight pathogens or in respiratory and allergic<\/strong> reactions it overreacts and harms healthy tissue.

In every case, the key to prevention or treatment lies in understanding, and carefully guiding, the immune system.<\/strong>

Today, with our expertise in AI and powerful new technologies<\/strong>, scientists can study the immune system in unprecedented detail, examining the behaviour of individual cells and analysing vast datasets to uncover patterns across different diseases. Insights gained in one area, such as cancer, can quickly be applied to others.

The Institute for Medical Innovation<\/strong> will bring together the people, technology and shared research spaces needed to accelerate this work. By uniting experts, equipment and data around the common thread of immunology, we can speed up discoveries and unlock new treatments that benefit patients across many of the world\u2019s most serious diseases.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

\n

A common thread<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

At first glance, diseases such as cancer, dementia, sight loss, infection and respiratory illness may seem very different. But they all share one critical connection: the human immune system.<\/strong>

In cancer<\/strong>, the immune system can fail to detect and destroy damaged cells. In dementia <\/strong>and some forms of sight loss<\/strong>, the immune system becomes overactive, triggering damaging inflammation in the brain or the eye. In infection<\/strong>, illness can occur when immunity is too weak to fight pathogens or in respiratory and allergic<\/strong> reactions it overreacts and harms healthy tissue.

In every case, the key to prevention or treatment lies in understanding, and carefully guiding, the immune system.<\/strong>

Today, with our expertise in AI and powerful new technologies<\/strong>, scientists can study the immune system in unprecedented detail, examining the behaviour of individual cells and analysing vast datasets to uncover patterns across different diseases. Insights gained in one area, such as cancer, can quickly be applied to others.

The Institute for Medical Innovation<\/strong> will bring together the people, technology and shared research spaces needed to accelerate this work. By uniting experts, equipment and data around the common thread of immunology, we can speed up discoveries and unlock new treatments that benefit patients across many of the world\u2019s most serious diseases.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

<\/div>\n\n\n\n
<\/div>\n\n\n\n
\n
\n
\n
\"An<\/div>

CANCER<\/h3><\/div>

You can help us find new ways to diagnose and treat rare and hard-to-treat cancers.<\/p>

FIND OUT MORE<\/span><\/a><\/div><\/div><\/div>\n<\/div><\/div>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n
\n
\n
\"Two<\/div>

DEMENTIA<\/h3><\/div>

Your donation will help us to find ways to diagnose dementia earlier.<\/p>

FIND OUT More<\/span><\/a><\/div><\/div><\/div>\n<\/div><\/div>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n
\n
\n
\"Cyclists<\/div>

INFECTION<\/h3><\/div>

You can support us in the fight against antimicrobial resistance.<\/p>

FIND OUT MORE<\/span><\/a><\/div><\/div><\/div>\n<\/div><\/div>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n
\n
\n
\"A<\/div>

RESPIRATORY & ALLERGY<\/h3><\/div>

Your help is needed in finding better treatments for chronic illness.<\/p>

FIND OUT MORE<\/span><\/a><\/div><\/div><\/div>\n<\/div><\/div>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n
\n
\n
\"A<\/div>

SIGHT LOSS<\/h3><\/div>

Your donation can help us find new ways to save someone\u2019s sight.<\/p>

FIND OUT MORE<\/span><\/a><\/div><\/div><\/div>\n<\/div><\/div>\n<\/div><\/div>\n<\/div><\/div>
<\/div>
<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n
<\/div>\n\n\n\n
\n
\n

AN interdisciplinary approach<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Siloed working between clinicians, scientists and engineers slows progress and limits impact. We need faster, more integrated innovation to meet these challenges and tackle disease at pace.

Within the IMI, our interdisciplinary culture will see incredible doctors, engineers, mathematicians and artificial intelligence experts all working together to achieve amazing results. It will be a space where people challenge and support each other to accelerate medical breakthroughs.  

Shared spaces including hot desks, meeting rooms, a terrace and an atrium will all encourage interdisciplinary working. A specialist MedTech engineering laboratory will enable medics and engineers to work side by side.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

\n
<\/div>\n\n\n\n
\"\"<\/figure><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n
\n
\n
<\/div>\n\n\n\n
\"An<\/figure><\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n
\n
<\/div>\n\n\n\n

A UNIQUE LOCATION<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The IMI will establish a world-leading hub for medical research at University Hospital Southampton.

Located at the hospital site, researchers will have fast access to patients, patient samples and clinicians.

Together with the Centre for Cancer Immunology (CCI), the Southampton Clinical Trials Unit (housed within the CCI), and the Somers Cancer Research Building, these research centres will share expertise, equipment and facilities, creating an exceptional environment for breakthroughs.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

<\/div>\n\n\n\n
\n
\n

state-of-the-art FACILITIES<\/h4>\n\n\n\n

The IMI will be a unique space, featuring the latest technology.

Key features include one of the most advanced biomedical imaging units in the UK, an omics core facility and a category level 3 suite to house the most dangerous pathogens.

The digital collaboration hub will provide a powerful bioinformatics facility, and enable researchers to access both NHS and University data.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

\n
\"An<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

An artist\u2019s impression of the proposed Institute for Medical Innovation.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

\n
\n
<\/div>\n\n\n\n
\"\"<\/figure><\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n
\n
<\/div>\n\n\n\n

A PLACE OF CONNECTION<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Building on our strong track record in innovation, the Institute for Medical Innovation (IMI) will accelerate the journey from discovery to real-world impact.

Through the Connected Healthcare Incubator Accelerator (CHIA), the IMI will create a dynamic ecosystem to support spinouts and early-stage ventures to develop, test and scale breakthrough technologies.

By strengthening partnerships with the NHS, industry and global networks, and connecting innovators to investment, mentorship and facilities, the IMI will fast-track new ideas to market – transforming promising research into life-changing healthcare solutions for patients worldwide.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

<\/div>\n\n\n\n
\n
\n
\n

AN interdisciplinary approach<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Siloed working between clinicians, scientists and engineers slows progress and limits impact. We need faster, more integrated innovation to meet these challenges and tackle disease at pace.

Within the IMI, our interdisciplinary culture will see incredible doctors, engineers, mathematicians and artificial intelligence experts all working together to achieve amazing results. It will be a space where people challenge and support each other to accelerate medical breakthroughs.  

Shared spaces including hot desks, meeting rooms, a terrace and an atrium will all encourage interdisciplinary working. A specialist MedTech engineering laboratory will enable medics and engineers to work side by side.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

\n
\n

A UNIQUE LOCATION<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
\"An<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

The IMI will establish a world-leading hub for medical research at University Hospital Southampton.

Located at the hospital site, researchers will have fast access to patients, patient samples and clinicians.

Together with the Centre for Cancer Immunology (CCI), the Southampton Clinical Trials Unit (housed within the CCI), and the Somers Cancer Research Building, these research centres will share expertise, equipment and facilities, creating an exceptional environment for breakthroughs.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

\n
\n
\n

state-of-the-art FACILITIES<\/h4>\n\n\n\n
\"An<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

An artist\u2019s impression of the proposed Institute for Medical Innovation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The IMI will be a unique space, featuring the latest technology.

Key features include one of the most advanced biomedical imaging units in the UK, an omics core facility and a category level 3 suite to house the most dangerous pathogens.

The digital collaboration hub will provide a powerful bioinformatics facility, and enable researchers to access both NHS and University data.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

\n

A PLACE OF CONNECTION<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
\"\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n
\n
\n

Building on our strong track record in innovation, the Institute for Medical Innovation (IMI) will accelerate the journey from discovery to real-world impact.

Through the Connected Healthcare Incubator Accelerator (CHIA), the IMI will create a dynamic ecosystem to support spinouts and early-stage ventures to develop, test and scale breakthrough technologies.

By strengthening partnerships with the NHS, industry and global networks, and connecting innovators to investment, mentorship and facilities, the IMI will fast-track new ideas to market – transforming promising research into life-changing healthcare solutions for patients worldwide.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

<\/div>\n\n\n\n

ACCELERATING THE PACE OF CHANGE<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
\n
\n
\n

1<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

REAL-WORLD
HEALTH
PROBLEMS<\/h2>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n
\n

Focused on diseases united by the common thread of immunology, where the need is greatest and where Southampton excels<\/strong>: Cancer, dementia, sight loss, infection, respiratory & allergic illnesses.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

\n
\n
\n

2<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

DEVELOPMENT PHASE<\/h2>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n
\n

Discovery:<\/strong> Harnessing the very latest technology and methodologies to understand disease from patient samples like never before. <\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

\n

Data:<\/strong> Applying the power of modern computing to vast medical and environmental data sets to uncover the true drivers of disease. <\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

\n

Devices and drugs: <\/strong>Creating new, innovative devices, such as drugs, implantables, wearables, apps or remote monitoring devices to diagnose, prevent or treat disease.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

<\/div>\n\n\n\n
\n
\n
\n

3<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

DELIVERY<\/h2>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n
\n

The IMI\u2019s focus on accelerating research into practice will smooth the journey from innovation to real-life application, through partnering with the University’s innovation network, the Connected Healthcare Incubator Accelerator (CHIA). This will foster knowledge-sharing and connections between researchers, industry partners and experts, making it easier to source commercial advice, legal and IP expertise, and investment.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

<\/div>\n\n\n\n
\n
\n
\n

4<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

REAL-WORLD
HEALTH
SOLUTIONS<\/h2>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n
\n

Prevent, diagnose, treat and cure.<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

<\/div>\n\n\n\n

THE Impact of Medical Innovation<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Your donation will make a difference to research which saves and improves lives.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\n
\n\n\n