Oxford News
New Oxford-led initiative launches to train future leaders in transformative technologies for pharmaceutical research
The UK Pharmaceutical Sector lies at the heart of the life sciences ecosystem, providing one of the key growth engines in the UK economy. In 2022, the £9 billion of pharmaceutical R&D accounted for 18% of all R&D performed by all UK businesses – the highest of any product area (UK Government). GSK has invested heavily in data-driven approaches to pharmaceutical R&D that are both informed by and provide new insight into biological processes. The goal is simple: make R&D more productive by reducing drug failure rates and speeding up time to adoption. However, for these advances to transform our understanding of biology and health, a parallel shift in the way that we train future industrial and academic research leaders is needed.
GSK together with the Universities of Oxford, Cambridge and Southampton are delighted to announce that the BBSRC has awarded funding to launch a new doctoral programme to train the next generation of leaders in pharmaceutical science. The BBSRC Industrial Landscape Award in Transformative Technologies for Pharmaceutical Science (TTPS) will fund three cohorts of eight doctoral students each year from 2026 to 2028.
Students will be trained in cutting-edge, data-centred, mathematical and computational modelling approaches and commercial skills necessary to lead this new approach to pharmaceutical R&D, becoming future research leaders across this vitally important sector of the UK economy, and ultimately supporting the Government’s vision of the UK as a global hub for the Life Sciences. Students will gain the communication, business and social skills necessary to forge new partnerships and to create interdisciplinary teams that can tackle global challenges.
Professor Brian Marsden, Professor of Practice in Data Management & Research Informatics at Oxford’s Centre for Medicines Discovery, and TTPS Director, said: ‘Data-driven technologies are increasingly at the heart of cutting-edge biological research. It’s crucial that we enable the next generation of highly skilled researchers to deliver this. We are excited to be working with GSK to drive this imperative in the context of transformative technological approaches to pharmaceutical sciences.’
Students will apply to and be admitted by one of the three partner universities, but all students will receive intensive doctoral training in their first and second terms of their first year at the Doctoral Training Centre at the University of Oxford, then two short, rotation research projects at Oxford, Cambridge, and/or Southampton in collaboration with scientists at GSK. Each student chooses one of their short rotation projects to continue for their main doctoral research in their remaining three years.
Dr Kaivan Khavandi, Senior Vice President, Global Head, Respiratory, Immunology & Inflammation, Research & Development, GSK, said: ‘The transformative power of cutting-edge technologies is revolutionising how we discover, develop and deliver medicines and vaccines to patients. To ensure GSK continues to lead this innovation, we recognise the critical need to develop the next generation of talent. Our partnerships with the Universities of Oxford, Cambridge and Southampton is key to this, enabling us to grow leaders equipped with the essential skills at the intersection of science and tech.’
These future research leaders will be the driving force translating basic scientific research and biological understanding into novel technologies, vaccines, therapies and drugs that will accelerate progress in academic research and within the industrial research and development pipeline.
Professor Mark Cragg of the University of Southampton, said: ‘The University of Southampton is delighted to be part of such an exciting new programme, bringing Pharma and academia together to develop the next generation of researchers with the skills to accelerate drug development and provide new medicines.’
Professor Kathryn Lilley of the University of Cambridge, said: ‘Bringing together the strengths of UK academia with GSK, a global leader in the pharmaceutical industry, this programme will train a new generation of scientists to understand how to transform ideas into medicines.’
Walter Klen, of Farmoor, Oxford, was sentenced to 19 years in jail at a sentencing at Oxford Crown Court on Monday, July 13.
The 60-year-old was found unanimously guilty of 13 counts, by a jury which police said had to listen to ‘the most vile and harrowing descriptions’ of the child sexual offences.
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These were four counts of indecent assault, two counts of indecency with a child, two counts of causing or inciting a child under 13 to engage in sexual activity, one count of attempted rape and four counts of sexual assault of a child under 13.
The court heard that between 2003 and 2010, Klen sexually abused three children over a seven-year period at addresses in Moreton-in-Marsh in Gloucestershire and Chipping Norton in Oxfordshire.
All three victims were girls who were under the age of 13 at the time of the offences.
Klen was arrested on July 11, 2023, and charged on May 9, 2025.
He was subsequently convicted following a nine-day trial at Oxford Crown Court, which began on June 11.
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Thames Valley Police’s Investigating officer Detective Constable Bryn Smith, of the Child Abuse Investigation Unit, said: “Klen’s offending was sickening, devious and manipulative and he will rightfully spend many years in prison.
“I commend the bravery of the three victims and their families and friends who had to endure hours of giving evidence in court over these nine days.
“The fact that Klen was found unanimously guilty of all 13 charges is testament to the resolve of those involved and the support they gave each other.
“I would also like to thank the jury. Twelve people from all walks of society who had to listen to the most vile and harrowing descriptions of child sexual abuse over many days.
“I would encourage anyone who has been a victim of a sexual abuse to come forward and report it to police.
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“You will be listened to and supported by experienced officers and staff.”
Anyone who has been a victim of rape or sexual assault can report offences to Thames Valley Police by calling 101 or making a report online. In an emergency, always call 999.
The force said: “We understand that coming forward can feel difficult, and support is available whether or not you choose to make a report to the police. Please see our website for more information.”
Daniel Walsh was found guilty of a public order offence at a hearing at Wycombe Magistrates’ Court on July 10.
The 35-year-old used threatening, abusive or insulting words with intent to harass, alarm or distress a man at the centre, court documents say.
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Walsh denied the offence, which happened on July 1 last year when entering a not guilty plea on August 12, but the conviction was proved in his absence.
Magistrates issued a community order ending October 9, 2026, with specific supervision requirements.
Walsh, if Dunchurch, Rugby in Warwickshire, is also excluded from entering the Westgate shopping centre for three months, also ending October 9, 2026.
The exclusion was ordered as part of the sentence to protect others from further distress.
Walsh’s conviction was recorded under the Public Order Act 1986.
Game, the once‑dominant high street video‑games chain which had over 300 UK stores, continues to disappear from city and town centres across the UK.
An administration report shows the business owed roughly £3.5m to its secured creditor and about £12m to unsecured creditors, many of whom are not expected to recover what they are owed.
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The retailer, now owned by Frasers Group, has been through insolvency once before in 2012 but had rebuilt around a mix of smaller shop units and in‑store concessions inside Sports Direct and House of Fraser.
Those concessions now represent Game’s main physical footprint in Oxfordshire with a branch housed in Cowley’s Sports Direct at Oxford Retail Park on Ambassador Avenue.
That means customers in and around Oxford can still buy products over the counter in Cowley, even as the chain’s standalone stores close elsewhere.
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Witney, however, has already lost its dedicated Game branch after the store held a closing‑down sale in December 2023, before shutting in January 2024.
National coverage has since confirmed that Game’s remaining high street outlets in other parts of the country will shut during 2026.
This ends more than three decades as a standalone presence and leaves the brand trading online and through concessions only.
This pattern is already evident in Oxfordshire, where the Witney shop has gone, and the Cowley counter inside Sports Direct survives.
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