Research centre bid could be shot in the arm for graduate science jobs

A proposed £39 million centre of excellence for early stage research into new drug treatments for serious illnesses such as cancer could create a raft of graduate positions in Liverpool.

RedX Pharma, which is based in the city, has applied for a £5.9 million grant from the Government's Regional Growth Fund to support an initial two-year research phase.

If the bid is successful, the company said its shareholders and investors would contribute a further £33.2 million over the next five years to support the centre's development.

RedX hopes to have the facility up and running by early 2012, with 127 jobs linked to chemistry and biochemistry testing and analysis set to be created within the first two years.

Another 119 posts are expected to open up between 2014 and 2016.

RedX added that 24 openings for trainees and apprentices would be generated in each of the five years of the project.

The bid to establish the centre of excellence has been backed by Liverpool City Council through economic development company Liverpool Vision. It also has the support of Liverpool University, Royal Liverpool University Hospital and the Liverpool Cancer Research UK Centre.

RedX Pharma chief executive, Dr Neil Murray, said: "We share a vision with the city that life science has a major role to play in the development of Liverpool's future and we believe that our centre of excellence will create the critical mass necessary to create a step-change in that strategy."

Max Steinberg, chief executive of Liverpool Vision, added: "In addition to the pure economic and employment benefits, the project will help to ensure that a more effective supply of anti-cancer drugs will be brought to market much more quickly because of the drive and expertise of a UK-based company."