Cambridge set for bioscience boost
19 Jan 2015
The Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council (BBSRC) has invested £44 million in development at the Babraham Research Campus in Cambridge.
The campus’s new Bennet Building, which is part of the £44 million development programme, will be home to both molecular laboratories and office space, supporting the growth of life sciences enterprises in the area, the BBSRC said.
Officially opened today by Menelas Pangalos, executive vice president at pharmaceutical firm AstraZeneca, the Bennet Building will play host to companies such as Kymab, which develops new antibody medicines, and Eagle Genomics, providing bio-informatics services and management of big data.
“The Bennet Building allows scientists working on developing bioscience businesses to stay close to the excellent academic work taking place at the Babraham Research Campus, whilst providing the best facilities and support to help their companies to thrive,” said Celia Caulcott, BBSRC executive director for Innovation and Skills.
Likewise, Babraham Bioscience Technologies chief executive Derek Jones said: “Co-location of world-class academic research carried out at the Babraham Institute, with early-stage and growing life science companies benefits both the academic science and the companies themselves, whether that is access to expertise and facilities, or the community that is exists here.”
Today’s announcement follow news last week in which medical diagnostics firm Randox said it plans to develop a £161 million science park, which will be located in County Antrim, UK.
According to Randox, once completed, the “futuristic” project will accelerate the development of new products into a wide range of clinical needs, such as various cancers, stroke, heart disease and neurodegenerative disorders.
