SCIENTISTS say a new £115m diabetes research centre will help cement Oxford’s position as a world-leader in medicine.

The partnership announced between Oxford University and Danish pharmaceuticals giant Novo Nordisk today aims to foster closer links between researchers and the company.

It will seem them jointly occupy the ‘BioEscalator’ building under construction at the Old Road Campus, Headington, with a focus on discovering new ways to treat type 2 diabetes.

One in every 16 people in the UK is estimated to have diabetes and about 90 per cent suffer from type 2, making it a major modern health concern.

The most recent figure for Oxfordshire reveals that an estimated 28,627 adults have been diagnosed with diabetes.

Age, genetics, weight and diet can all increase the risk of the condition which can lead to serious long-term complications.

Prof Jim Johnson, who will lead the new Oxford centre, said he hoped staff would be able to move in to the building in mid-2018 but work would start ‘right away’.

About 100 jobs are expected to be created.

Prof Johnson said: “This centre opens a new niche in Oxford, but will also combine with the amazing science already being done here.

“By adding even more to the critical mass, in addition to jobs being created we will also see more clinical trials and the development of medicines that will benefit people with type 2 diabetes all over the world.

“The 100 jobs we create are not just jobs – they are 100 high-quality, well paid posts that we hope will bring people with great ideas here and further invigorate the Oxford science scene.”

University Vice Chancellor Professor Louise Richardson added: “This project marks an important step in the development of the Oxford bioscience cluster.”

Novo Nordisk bosses and the university also met with with David Gauke MP, Chief Secretary to the Treasury, to discuss government support for biosciences after Brexit. Mr Gauke said the investment was a ‘vote of confidence’ in the UK.

He added: “We are listening to our industries about their challenges and ambitions.”

Despite Britain's decision to quit the European Union, Novo Nordisk president Lars Fruergaard Jørgensen said he was ‘confident’ its research activities in Oxford would not be hampered in a speech yesterday.

Speaking afterwards, the company's chief science officer Mads Krogsgaard Thomsen said: “All new medicines start with someone having a brilliant idea but scientists may not always know what to do next.

“Our aim is to transform their dreams, ideas and findings into first experimental medicines and eventually something people can get in a pharmacy. We are very excited by this new partnership.”

But he warned scientists would need to be able to move freely between Oxford and the company’s base in Copenhagen, even after Brexit.

“To us, this is critically important,” he said. “I hope my scientists can visit Oxford, and vice versa, very easily.”