Imperial College Healthcare NHS Trust is planning for the Fleming Centre to open in 2028, 100 years after Sir Alexander Fleming discovered penicillin at St Mary’s Hospital
Fresh designs have been published indicating how a proposed new research centre at St Mary’s Hospital in Paddington could look.
The Fleming Centre, part of the wider Fleming Initiative, will act as both a research and engagement hub, bringing together scientists, policymakers and other experts to collaborate to tackle antimicrobial resistance (AMR). Imperial College Healthcare NHS Trust, which runs hospitals including St Mary’s, is looking to submit a planning application later this year with work to begin in 2026.
The centre is then expected to open in 2028, 100 years after Sir Alexander Fleming discovered penicillin at the hospital.
Matt Tulley, Director of Redevelopment, Imperial College Healthcare NHS Trust, said the centre will bring “new opportunities and investment” to the area as part of Paddington Life Sciences, the growing cluster of life sciences and data businesses around St Mary’s.
The Fleming Centre, once finished, will be a key part of the Fleming Initiative, a collaboration with Imperial College London led by Professor the Lord Darzi of Denham. The project was established to identify solutions to AMR, which occurs when bacteria, viruses, fungi and parasites adapt to no longer respond to medicines, making infections harder to treat.
Imperial revealed in January that London-based studio Stanton Williams had been selected by the Royal Institute of British Architects (RIBA) to work on the Fleming Centre following a design competition and a three-day exhibition in November.
Early concept images of the centre were also published, having first been shown at the exhibition.
During an interview with the Local Democracy Reporting Service (LDRS) in June, Professor Tim Orchard, Chief Executive of the Trust, said of the centre and the battle against AMR: “Probably something over a million people die every year from antimicrobial resistance and that could be in excess of 10 million if you fast-forward another 25 years or so. So it is a significant global health issue and it’s an issue we face every day.”
An on-site exhibition was being run the same month with a public consultation extending into July requesting feedback on the proposed centre. Imperial is now seeking feedback on a new set of updated designs, which have been produced by Stanton Williams on the back of the previous consultation.
Those wanting to partake can either visit the consultation page on the Imperial website, join an online webinar on October 15 or attend a public exhibition at St Mary’s, to be held on October 16, 17 and 18.
According to the Trust, the designs focus on a series of priorities, including preserving local heritage, improving accessibility and making the most out of the canal.
Professor Alison Holmes, Director of the Fleming Initiative, said: “We are committed to ensuring the Fleming Centre reflects the needs and priorities of our community. Public and stakeholder feedback is invaluable as we refine these updated designs, and we strongly encourage everyone to share their thoughts and help us create a unique and beautiful hub, which will both engage the public and have an impact on research and policy.”
Mr Tulley said: “We’re proud to be creating a sustainable and welcoming building that will help find solutions to antimicrobial resistance, one of the biggest global health threats we face. The centre will also bring new opportunities and investment to the area as part of Paddington Life Sciences, the growing cluster of life sciences and data business around St Mary’s.
“Huge thanks to everyone who has given us feedback so far and helped to shape our designs. It’s vital the centre reflects the views and needs of our local communities, as well as researchers, policy makers and partners.”
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