Work will now start on the £42m contract to build the Pears Building, which will specialise in researching new treatments for leukaemia, diabetes and cancer.

Harrow-based Toureen Contractors will deliver groundworks for the 7-storey project, which will run for 30 months.

The brick clad building complex will be located at Rosslyn Hill near Hampstead Heath and will provide around 100,000 sq ft of laboratory space for Institute for Immunity and Transplantation, a patient hotel, Royal Free Charity offices plus a replacement carpark of 58 spaces.

It is being project managed by Buro Four with BDP on board as M&E design consultant.

The Hopkins designed Pears Building will allow more patients to have access to ground-breaking medical treatments through clinical trials.