Life sciences property provider Bruntwood SciTech has invested £20 million into redeveloped laboratories at the UK’s North West research campus, Alderley Park.
The £20 million investment has gone towards the redevelopment of existing lab spaces to create high-specification biology and chemistry containment level two (CL2) laboratory suites. The labs have been designed to include spaces that specifically inspire collaborations between companies and colleagues.
The announcement today forms part of the park’s longer-term project which plans to develop an additional 200,000 sq ft of lab space and office space for technology businesses.
The new facilities are aimed to help specialist drug companies within oncology, infectious diseases, advanced therapy medicinal products and diagnostics.
The park’s offering is bolstered by access to specialist scientific services as well as Bruntwood SciTech’s wider network of innovators and business support programmes, including the Alderley Park Accelerator which supports start-up and scale-up companies to establish and grow through mentoring, funding support and advice when entering new markets.
Official comments
Kath Mackay, Director of Life Sciences, Bruntwood SciTech, said: “The life sciences sector is witnessing rapid and continued growth in the North West and the creation of these pioneering workspaces speaks to that demand. Our newly redeveloped laboratories are a step change from traditional lab environments as the industry sees a shift towards an ecosystem of workspace that offers opportunities for young, innovative companies to collaborate alongside sectoral leaders. Alderley Park’s latest injection of high quality biology and chemistry labs will further facilitate this.
“Alderley Park is already a world-leading campus for science and technology and a key location for the North’s thriving life sciences sector. Investing in its future will keep this facility – and its businesses – at the forefront of regional, national and international innovation.”
Philip Cox, Chief Executive of Cheshire and Warrington Local Enterprise Partnership said: “We are continuing to grow and enhance Cheshire and Warrington’s reputation in the life sciences sector and Alderley Park is a key part of our ambitions.
“We recently launched the GMC Life Sciences Fund by Praetura, allowing us to invest in innovative companies in the region. Alongside key developments within Alderley Park’s Mereside life science campus this means that life sciences will continue to flourish in Cheshire and Warrington and the wider region.”
