The Foundation for Liver Research (FLR) was established in 1974 to develop and extend research into diseases of the human liver. For over 50 years, the FLR has supported ground-breaking research programmes into liver disease including much of the early pioneering work at King’s College Hospital into liver transplantation and acute liver failure, under the direction of the charity’s founding Director, Professor Roger Williams. Between 1996 and 2016 the FLR operated at the Institute of Hepatology, which was based at University College London, in a purpose-designed three storey building of just under 7000 square feet.

In June 2016, the Institute relocated to a new facility on the Denmark Hill campus of King’s College London which was purpose-built by the FLR and has recently been renamed the Roger Williams Institute of Liver Studies (RW-ILS). The Institute currently provides laboratory space for up to 65 research staff/students and now represents a partnership between the Foundation for Liver Research, Kings College London and King’s College Hospital to maximise the opportunities on campus for clinical translational research into liver disease. The newly formed RW-ILS department sits within the School of Immunology & Microbial Sciences under the Faculty of Life Sciences & Medicine, King’s College London.

1968

The UKs first liver transplant takes place at Addenbrooke's Hospital in Cambridge under the pioneering work of Sir Roy Calne and Prof. Roger Williams

1974

The Foundation for Liver Research is established by Prof. Roger Williams, with research taking place at King's Liver Unit, Denmark Hill

1986

The Liver Unit at King's College Hospital celebrates their 20th Anniversary with researchers, doctors, surgeons and nurses and support staff

1996

The Institute of Hepatology is opened by HRH The Princess Royal at University College London, the Foundation's first purpose built research facility

2004

Prof. Roger Williams with his team at the IoH, shortly after winning the American Society of Transplantation Senior Achievement Award

2016

The Foundation relocates to a new state of the art three storey research facility at King's College London, returning to its home in Denmark Hill

2020

Prof. Roger Williams passes away leaving behind a global legacy of groundbreaking research and medical advancements in hepatology 

2024

The Foundation forms the Roger Williams Institute of Liver Studies in partnership with King's College London and King's College Hospital