New Centre to boost UK life science growth
5 May 2017 by Evoluted New Media
The University of Leicester is aiming to drive biomedical innovation with the first UK life sciences opportunities zone.
The University of Leicester is aiming to drive biomedical innovation with the first UK life sciences opportunities zone.
It’s hoped that the Innovation Centre will foster collaboration between businesses and academics to develop diagnostic and therapeutic interventions for an ethnically diverse population. The Centre will be established in Charnwood, near Loughborough, to accelerate business growth for the Med-Tech and Biopharma community.
Professor Paul Boyle, President of the University of Leicester, said: “The Life Sciences Opportunity Zone project will provide a fantastic opportunity for the University of Leicester to work with our private sector, partners in the life sciences as well as the local NHS Trust, to develop new diagnostics and therapies and translate these into better health in the Midlands and beyond.”
The Centre will aim to build on both local and regional strengths in the area such as precision medicine, drug development, trauma rehabilitation and wearable technologies. Together with site owners, Charnwood Campus and the Leicester and Leicestershire Enterprise Partnership, the centre will create a safe space for new business spin outs and start-ups, providing space for a training hub to support businesses and research share knowledge. Companies 3M and Medilink EM will offer additional training and mentoring to aid SMEs in their growth process.
Gosia Khrais, Commercial and Marketing Director at Charnwood Campus, said: “We have been working tirelessly on developing Charnwood Campus into a thriving and successful centre of excellence. This designation further confirms site-readiness for business. We could not dream of a more promising start of the year and look forward to the positive impact this will have on local businesses and the residents.”
The Innovation Centre is planned to be established in one of the existing high-quality laboratory buildings with co-located office space to create small scale, flexible spaces for business start-up and growth.
