life sciences
The Life Sciences sector globally is growing at a spectacular rate and is also playing a major part in building the knowledge-based economy of the North East of England.
With the challenge of an ageing population facing most countries, coupled with the development of new technology in the sector, there are now substantial new opportunities for entrepreneurial health and drug businesses looking to establish in the region.
Bioscience companies are well represented in Tyne and Wear benefiting from the region’s research activities and key strengths in functional genomics, bio-informatics, biosensors, proteomics, ageing, oncology, cognitive neuroscience, stem-cell biology and bio remediation.
In addition to this strong manufacturing and research base, the North East has excellent water and utility supplies with high quality sites in clean air environments.
A number of regional and international companies have invested and prospered by making use of the opportunities that exist in Tyne and Wear’s Life Sciences sector. They include Applied Imaging, Helena Biosciences, Immunodiagnostic Systems, Rohm & Haas and Sanofi Aventis.
The focus for Life Sciences in the North East is the International Centre for Life in Newcastle.
The £55m purpose built facility includes a commercial Bioscience Centre, the Human Genetics Institute housing 150 geneticists from the University of Newcastle’s five star rated department, the Bioethics Forum and an interactive visitor attraction.
The Bioscience Centre incorporates a conference venue and bioinformatics training suite, as well as high standard flexible facilities for companies such as Applied Imaging, A US-company which provides total screening systems used in ante-natal applications and cancer diagnostics.
Companies involved in gene therapy, combinatorial chemistry or R&D for human therapeutics can take advantage of the Centre’s centralised cell and molecular biology suite operating to GMP standard. Cell culture and fermentation of animal and insect cells together with media-making and cryogenics facilities are provided along with a business centre to assist with finance raising and preparation of business plans.
Shared research and technical collaboration between tenants of the Centre is a major attraction allied with the opportunity to participate in the interactive teaching aids accessible to the general public.
