Edinburgh adult centre

This centre delivers world‑class early‑phase clinical trials and translational research, supported by a leading bench‑to‑bedside‑and‑back pathway plus strong national and international collaborations.

Centre overview

Our Edinburgh adult experimental cancer medicine centre (ECMC) combines high-quality clinical delivery with world-class discovery and translational science across the Institute of Genetics and Cancer, the Cancer Research UK Scotland Centre and the Edinburgh Cancer Centre.

Working in close partnership with our Glasgow ECMC, the centre provides a coordinated, Scotland‑wide approach to molecular testing and patient access.

The centre has a strong reputation for efficient trial set-up, high-quality data and trial management, strong collaboration and leadership in drug development

The team covers all modalities and treatment areas, with some particular focus areas including first-in-human studies, advanced therapy investigational medicinal products (ATIMPs) and novel immunotherapies, brain tumours and ovarian cancer

Expertise

first-in-human drug development (all cancer types)
novel immunotherapies, including ATIMPs
brain cancer
ovarian cancer (focus on rare subtypes)
radiotherapy
haematological malignancies

Key contacts

Stefan Symeonides - Centre co-lead

Stefan Symeonides is Professor of Experimental Cancer Medicine at the Cancer Research UK Scotland Centre, leads the phase 1 trials unit at the Edinburgh Cancer Centre and is a Senior Medical Advisor at Cancer Research UK’s Centre for Drug Development. His research focuses on novel cancer therapeutics, particularly targeted agents and immunotherapies, trial methodology and regulatory science.

Charlie Gourley - Centre co-lead

Charlie Gourley is Director of the Nicola Murray Centre for Ovarian Cancer Research and Clinical Director for the Cancer Research UK Scotland Centre. He specialises in ovarian cancer genetics and translational research. He is the chair of the European Network of Gynaecological Oncological Trial Rare Tumours Working Group and serves on key national and international advisory groups.

Ramsay Khadeir - Centre business co-lead

Ramsay Khadeir is the Network Manager for NHS Research Scotland and ECMC Business and Management Lead. He coordinates the centre and wider Edinburgh Cancer Centre trials portfolio and delivery team, with its reputation for high-quality research and efficient processes, so that patients can access promising new therapies.

Chris Tuck - Centre business co-lead

Chris Tuck is the Science and Funding Manager at the Institute of Genetics and Cancer, University of Edinburgh. Chris is responsible for the support and strategic planning of major funded cancer projects at the institute, including the ECMC.

Leslie Stephen - Patient and public involvement co-lead

Leslie Stephen is involved in patient advocacy from diagnosis, with personal experience of trial therapy. She has been a co-investigator on over 25 research projects, including the Edinburgh ECMC Leadership Team, is a Patient Trustee for Make 2nds Count and has been involved in the development and UK approval of several new therapies.

Jenny Sharma - Patient and public involvement co-lead

Jenny Sharma is the patient and public involvement (PPI) manager at the Cancer Research UK Scotland Centre, Edinburgh Cancer Centre and Edinburgh ECMC. She has developed a coordinated, supported process for involvement and access, plus holds regular PPI meetings and ad hoc reviews to guide researchers, shape research plans and review projects and documents.

Contact details

Edinburgh Cancer Centre

Western General Hospital

Crewe Road South

Edinburgh

EH4 2XU

Programme office email:

ecmcadmin@cancer.org.uk