The agreement with the Department of Health and Social Care gives the university control of 80,000 sq m of land next to its existing East London campus.

This unlocks ambitious plans to build a major life sciences centre, one of the largest of its kind to come forward in the capital.

The site sits opposite the Royal London Hospital on the south side of Whitechapel Road,

Five new and refurbished buildings, designed by Allies & Morrison and Gibson Thornley, will form part of the scheme, which already has planning consent from Tower Hamlets.

Queen Mary boss Professor Colin Bailey said the landmark deal future-proofed the long-term future of the University.

“This major investment gives us the opportunity, working with partners, to drive economic growth and healthcare benefits in an increasingly hyper-connected area of London within which we have deep historic roots.”

The university first acquired part of the site in 2021, which Professor Bailey said at the time was one of the biggest research investments in its history. Today’s deal completes the acquisition and cements Queen Mary’s commitment to Whitechapel, where it has operated since 1785.

The new campus will sit alongside facilities run by long-standing partner Barts Health NHS Trust.