A Ground-Breaking Initiative
The Everest Centre is a landmark research initiative, funded with £5 million raised through Everest in the Alps and supplemented by The Brain Tumour Charity – the largest single investment in research the charity has ever made.
Its focus on low-grade tumours is urgently needed. Despite accounting for almost half of all paediatric brain tumours, they are often overlooked in favour of research into faster-growing high-grade tumours. Current treatments – surgery, radiotherapy, and chemotherapy – can bring severe side effects and often fail to prevent tumour recurrence. More effective, less invasive treatments are needed.
“For the first time in Europe, this group of diseases will be subject to a large, coordinated, international programme of cutting-edge scientific and clinical investigation.”
Dr David Jones, The Everest Centre.
Mission and Research Focus
The Centre brings together world-leading expertise and state-of-the-art facilities to decode what drives low-grade tumours and develop safer, targeted treatments. Its research is organised across four work streams:
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Investigating tumour genomics and cell-of-origin
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Developing better laboratory models to test new treatments
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Studying how tumours interact with the immune system
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Accelerating clinical trials, including the first ever quality-of-life trial for children with low-grade tumours
Its innovative research is led by Dr David Jones, an expert in molecular biology. Dr Jones was awarded the funding after a rigorous selection process, which included extensive peer review, a specialist scientific advisory board and numerous site visits. Housed at the German Cancer Centre in Heidelberg, Germany, The Everest Centre is part of an international collaboration with Great Ormond Street Hospital and the Blizard Institute at Queen Mary University of London.
“I am convinced that as a direct result of our work at The Everest Centre, we will end up with new and less damaging treatments for children diagnosed with low grade glioma.”
Dr Darren Hargrave, Consultant in Paediatric Neuro-Oncology, Great Ormond Street Hospital.
Key Achievements: Phase 1 (2017–2021)
In its first five years, the Centre became a global hub for discovery:
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Redefining global standards: Low-grade tumours gained their own category in the World Health Organisation classification, enabling more accurate diagnosis and treatment.
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Building better models: Laboratory models now allow potential new treatments to be screened faster and more reliably.
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Pioneering targeted therapies: Testing of drugs, such as ulixertinib, which have potential as new treatments, alongside less aggressive therapies to reduce side effects.
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Creating global data resources: The LOGGIC Core BioClinical Databank collects genetic, clinical, and quality-of-life data from children worldwide.
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Understanding senescent cells: Research into “sleeping” tumour cells opens new treatment strategies to help prevent recurrence..
Phase 1 laid the foundation for smarter diagnostics, targeted treatments, and improved quality of life for patients.
Driving Discovery Further: Phase 2 (2022–2027)
Building on these advances, Phase 2 is focused on:
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Smarter, faster diagnosis: AI-based tumour classification, nanopore sequencing, and advanced multi-omics are enabling more precise, personalised treatment.
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Targeting the MAPK pathway: Model systems and multi-omics profiling are guiding next-generation drug development.
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Exploring the tumour microenvironment: The largest immune study of childhood low-grade tumours reveals how immune cells can help tumours evade detection, highlighting new therapeutic strategies.
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Translating research into patient benefit: The EPILOGUE clinical trial, which will begin recruitment in 2026, aims to identify new treatment options. It will also monitor patients’ quality of life using mobile sensor technology.
Improving Quality of Life
Nearly half of children with low-grade tumours experience lasting physical, cognitive, or vision problems. The Centre’s research identifies factors that improve outcomes, ensuring future treatments protect both health and wellbeing.
Global Collaboration
The Everest Centre connects leading researchers and clinicians internationally, accelerating discoveries and ensuring breakthroughs reach patients worldwide.
Learn more about the Everest Centre.
Support the Centre
Everest in the Alps has powered this research from the slopes of Verbier to laboratories across Europe. With continued support, the Centre can advance smarter diagnostics, kinder treatments, and a future free from fear.
Low grade brain tumours are the most common type of primary brain tumour in children. When Everest in the Alps launched 10 years ago, research into these tumours had long been underfunded, leaving many families with few options for treatment or care. Rob Richie and the Everest in the Alps team set out to change that.
Today, the Everest Centre, financed through the challenge, is a world-leading collaboration bringing together brain tumour scientists in Germany and the UK. They are improving understanding of what causes these tumours and how to tackle them.
The Everest in the Alps challenge enables our expert team to climb higher and reach beyond current knowledge to create less invasive, more targeted treatments and provide hope and answers to hundreds of families. Our shared goal is to develop tailored treatments that not only extend life but also improve the quality of survival for every child and every family affected.
We’re picking up the pace of progress and would love for you to be part of the journey. Thank you for joining us.
Dr Simon Newman, Chief Scientific Officer
