Bruntwood SciTech has commenced construction on its 125,000 sq ft Citylabs 4.0 scheme at the Manchester University NHS Foundation Trust’s (MFT) Oxford Road Campus.
The seven-storey development will provide life science and healthcare businesses with an opportunity to gain direct access and collaborate with the UK’s largest NHS Trust.
As part of the support provided by the joint venture, businesses will receive access to research and development and funding support, as well as opportunities including joint clinical trials, sample supply, diagnostic collaborations and medtech adoption.
The completion of Citylabs 4.0 will take the campus from 192,000 sq ft to 327,000 sq ft. and contribute to the creation of more than 300 jobs.
The development, which is expected to open in spring 2025, is supported by a £32m senior loan from the North West Evergreen Fund, managed by CBRE’s Investment Advisory team, which is part of CBRE Capital Advisors.
Dr Kath Mackay, director of life sciences at Bruntwood SciTech, said: “There has never been a greater opportunity for the UK and Manchester to support the life science sector as there is currently by investing in the much needed specialist lab space and infrastructure companies need to scale and collaborate.
“Manchester’s life science ecosystem continues to thrive and at Citylabs through our partnership with MFT we can provide businesses with direct access into the NHS and have tests and treatments adopted at a faster pace and scale here more than anywhere else, resulting in improved healthcare for the people of Manchester and wider region.
“As the Citylabs campus approaches its 10th anniversary, we’re excited to get underway with Citylabs 4.0 and look forward to welcoming new businesses to this community and world-leading hub for health innovation, and continuing to enhance the city’s knowledge economy and private, academic and clinical collaboration opportunities.”
Professor Rick Body, group director of research and innovation at MFT, added: “Citylabs provides a unique platform to involve clinicians, patients, and our communities, at the start of the research innovation journey. It also meets our ambition to strive for the highest possible standards of sustainability in healthcare for the benefit of future generations. We look forward to welcoming new partners from the life sciences industry to co-locate, along with the opportunity to develop our hosted research and innovation infrastructure.”
