Global law firm Eversheds has advised the Medical Research Council (MRC) on the transfer of four of its intramural research units to their partner universities as part of the MRC’s expanding University Units programme.

Over the last 12 months, Eversheds has provided legal support to the MRC on its University Unit programme which culminated in the transfer of the MRC Epidemiology Unit to the University of Cambridge on 1 May 2013, the transfer of the MRC Lifecourse Epidemiology Unit to the University of Southampton on 1 May 2013 and the transfers of the MRC Anatomical Neuropharmacology Unit and the MRC Functional Genomics Unit to the University of Oxford on 1 July 2013.

Through the University Units programme, the MRC transfers core funded research units to the partner university in order to increase strategic alignment between MRC and University investments, enhance interactions and improve efficiency and flexibility, thereby maximising the resources available for science. As a result, the University becomes the employer of staff and the MRC will remain the main research funder.

The Eversheds team was led by Partner Glynne Stanfield and Senior Associate Morag Roddick, supported by Principal Associate Emma Cassie.

Glynne Stanfield said: “This strategic partnership is founded on creating added-value and new opportunities for enhancing the unit science and better value for money.”