Oxford-Harrington Rare Disease Centre Appoints Influential UK Leader in Health Innovation Policy, Baroness Nicola Blackwood, to its Advisory Council

OXFORD, UK and CLEVELAND, Ohio, US, 11^th September 2024 – The Oxford-Harrington Rare Disease Centre (‘OHC’), a partnership between the University of Oxford, UK and Harrington Discovery Institute at University Hospitals, Cleveland, Ohio, aimed at driving cutting-edge rare disease breakthroughs, announces the appointment of Baroness Nicola Blackwood to the OHC Advisory Council. In her position on OHC’s Advisory Council, Baroness Blackwood will contribute to advancing OHC’s mission to drive life-changing discoveries in rare disease, with a particular focus on addressing critical unmet needs in the UK.

Baroness Blackwood is Chair of both Genomics England and Oxford University Innovation. She is also a Board Member of the biotechnology company BioNTech and investment fund RTW Biotech Opportunities. She brings extensive experience in healthcare policy and innovation, including her involvement in the UK’s impactful 100,000 Genomes Project, which continues to shape the lives of those with rare diseases. She has also led on NHS innovation, UK rare disease and regulation, and global health security through her previous roles as Minister in the UK Government’s Department for Health and Social Care. Her extensive professional experience combined with her own personal journey since being diagnosed with Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome will bring a unique perspective to OHC’s Advisory Council.

Professor Sir John Bell, President of the Ellison Institute of Technology (EIT) Oxford, member of the OHC Steering Committee and Chair of the OHC Advisory Council, said: “We are delighted to welcome Nicola to the OHC Advisory Council. Nicola’s extensive experience in healthcare policy and her dedication to advancing medical innovation makes her the perfect fit for our mission. We look forward to working with her to transform cutting-edge science into life-changing therapies for those in need.”

Baroness Nicola Blackwood commented: “Having dedicated my career to improving healthcare outcomes for patients with rare diseases, I am honoured to be joining OHC’s Advisory Council. From both a professional and personal perspective, I have witnessed how much diagnosis and treatment of a rare disease can change someone’s life. I am delighted to be joining OHC at this pivotal stage as they continue to progress towards driving meaningful change by developing innovative solutions for patients in need.”

Matthew Wood, Director and Chief Scientific Officer of the OHC, and Professor of Neuroscience in Oxford’s Department of Paediatrics, added: “Nicola’s dedication to UK life sciences and the rare disease community is truly inspiring, and her advocacy efforts have significantly advanced healthcare in this area. Her contribution to shaping healthcare policy and her unwavering commitment to patients makes her a vital asset in achieving our objectives. We are all thrilled that Nicola has decided to join us at the OHC, and I look forward to collaborating with her to reach our goal of delivering 40 rare disease drugs in the next ten years.”

The OHC Advisory Council includes the following founding members: Lord David Cameron, John Crowley, Professor Sir John Bell, Jonathan Stamler, MD, and Ronald G. Harrington.