Global pharmaceutical company Shionogi joins Paddington Life Sciences Partners
Shionogi, a leading Japanese pharmaceutical company, has joined Paddington Life Sciences Partners – a growing life sciences community centred around St Mary’s Hospital in Paddington.
The partnership brings together NHS, industry, community and academic organisations with a shared commitment to improving health outcomes and generating social and economic value for Paddington and beyond.
Led by Imperial College Healthcare NHS Trust, Paddington Life Sciences is building one of the London’s most vibrant innovation ecosystems. It is designed to accelerate the translation of research, support the development of new technologies and therapies, and foster cross-sector collaboration to improve health and healthcare.
Shared commitment to tackling antimicrobial resistance
Shionogi opened its new UK office in Paddington in 2024, reflecting the company’s commitment to expanding its presence in Europe and strengthening its partnerships across the UK life sciences sector. The office in Paddington is home to over 150 employees and serves as a meeting hub for many of Shionogi’s global colleagues.
Shionogi is recognised worldwide for its work in infectious diseases and antimicrobial resistance (AMR). The company has discovered and developed medicines for the treatment of HIV, influenza, COVID-19 as well as novel antibiotics. Shionogi is also an active advocate for global AMR stewardship – championing responsible use and equitable access to address the growing threat of drug-resistant infections.
By joining the Paddington Life Sciences ecosystem, Shionogi is well-positioned to collaborate directly with Imperial College Healthcare clinicians, researchers and public health experts who are at the forefront of tackling AMR. This includes those leading the Fleming Centre, which will be built on the St Mary’s Hospital campus in Paddington.
The Fleming Centre will be a world-first research and public engagement hub dedicated to tackling antimicrobial resistance. It is due to open in 2028 to help mark the centenary of the discovery of penicillin – the first true antibiotic – at St Mary’s by Sir Alexander Fleming. It is a key development of the global Fleming Initiative, a collaboration with Imperial College London.
Collaborative impact
Jo Taylor, vice president of corporate affairs at Shionogi Europe, said: “We are thrilled to be part of the important, vibrant, network that Paddington Life Sciences has built. Paddington is the birthplace of antibiotics thanks to the discovery of penicillin by Sir Alexander Fleming at St Mary’s Hospital almost a century ago. As a company committed to protecting these essential medicines for the future, we are looking forward to working with partners in the community to help champion the importance of scientific innovation for the benefit of patients everywhere.”
Recently, Jo joined a panel at the Paddington Life Sciences Symposium, highlighting Shionogi’s role in the innovative NHS subscription model for antibiotic supply.
Dr Suki Balendra, director of strategic partnerships for Paddington Life Sciences, said: “We are delighted to welcome Shionogi to the Paddington Life Sciences community. Their global leadership in infectious disease research and commitment to tackling antimicrobial resistance align perfectly with our ambitions through the Fleming Initiative. We look forward to working together to accelerate innovation and improve outcomes for patients locally and globally.”
About Paddington Life Sciences Partners
The partnership includes leading organisations such as British Land, Brockton Everlast, Convatec, Derwent London, Imperial College Healthcare NHS Trust, Imperial College London, Ipsen, IQVIA, Microsoft, Optum, Oracle Health, Shionogi, Takeda, Vertex and Vodafone. The associate partners are: Imperial College Health Partners, Imperial Health Charity, Healthcare Central London, North West London Pathology, and The George Institute.
The partnership focuses on four strategic pillars:
- Social value - delivering benefits to local communities
- Diversity and equity in clinical trials – ensuring inclusivity in research participation
- Data and digital - harnessing real-world evidence for better care and discovery
- Place and infrastructure development – establishing Paddington as a leading life sciences destination
Pictured: Dr Suki Balendra (director of strategic partnerships, Paddington Life Sciences), Jo Taylor (vice president of corporate affairs at Shionoig), and Dr Bob Klaber (director of strategy, research and innovation, Imperial College Healthcare)
