The past, present, and future of antimicrobials
The Fleming Centre will be based at the historic St Mary's Hospital in Paddington, London, which holds special significance in the fight against antimicrobial resistance.
Sir Alexander Fleming in the laboratory where he discovered penicillin.
It was at St Mary's Hospital that
Sir Alexander Fleming discovered penicillin,
the world's first antibiotic, in 1928.
While this is widely considered to be the greatest discovery
in tackling infection, it also initiated the antimicrobial resistance.
​
The opening of the Fleming Centre will mark the centenary
of that world-changing discovery.
​
The Fleming Centre aims to build on this legacy.
​
​
Take a virtual tour of the Sir Alexander Fleming Laboratory Museum
​
Innovative partners
The Fleming Initiative is spearheaded by Imperial College London and Imperial College Healthcare NHS Trust, which operates
St Mary’s Hospital amongst others.
The century since penicillin’s discovery has seen
St Mary’s Hospital develop into a recognised
infectious disease centre of excellence.
Through initiatives such as the Institute of Infection,
Imperial College London has one of the largest critical masses
of infectious disease researchers in the world.
​
The Fleming Centre will bring together our world-leading research expertise with the legacy and clinical excellence of our partners at Imperial College Healthcare NHS Trust, helping to drive global change and tackle one of the world’s biggest challenges head on.
​
Professor Hugh Brady,
President of Imperial College London
St Mary’s Hospital is a site of many medical breakthroughs, including the discovery of penicillin by Sir Alexander Fleming almost a century ago. Alongside our partners at Imperial College London, we are proud to be continuing this legacy with this world-leading centre. The Fleming Centre is also a key part of our Paddington Life Sciences development, which aims to create a thriving ecosystem for life sciences research and innovation in London. It will be a major asset for the UK and make a real difference to the global fight against antimicrobial resistance.
​
Professor Tim Orchard,
Chief Executive of Imperial College London Healthcare NHS Trust