Newcastle City Council is looking for an investor to accelerate the growth of the region’s £1.7bn life science eco-system.
Dedicated to the commercialisation of life sciences and based on Newcastle Helix, The Biosphere launched in 2018 as a publicly funded project and represented a significant investment for the local economy and its fast-growing life sciences sector.
Huge demand for commercial lab and office space at The Biosphere means Newcastle City Council, with the support of NewcastleGateshead Initiative and Invest Newcastle are looking to appoint a partner with an ambition to expand and enhance the lab offering in the city and to ensure existing and future occupiers can continue to thrive and grow.
The opportunity will be showcased at UK REiiF, the UK Real Estate Investment and Infrastructure Forum, in Leeds from May 16-18. Invest Newcastle will be leading a 100-stong delegation and using the opportunity to unlock inclusive investment for the city.
Newcastle is currently home to almost 130 life science companies, employing more than 4,000 people. The city region is at the forefront of global innovation, leveraging research and development and support from world-leading universities and outstanding NHS Hospital Trusts, which are among the largest and highest achieving in the country.
As well as supporting growth and satisfying life science demand, the chosen investor will play a part in the development and regeneration story of Newcastle Helix, a vibrant innovation district in the heart of the city centre and home to the globally recognised National Innovation Centre for Ageing and National Innovation Centre for Data.
Investors have the option of acquiring the existing lab facility known as The Biosphere and potential further development plots on Newcastle Helix, totalling 1.7 acres of brownfield land.
Jen Hartley, director at Invest Newcastle, said: “This is a once in a lifetime opportunity to be part of Newcastle’s life science eco-system, right in the heart of our city centre and £1.7bn eco-system, supporting us to meet the growing demand we are seeing from spinouts, start-ups, and global brands.”
Helen Golightly OBE, chief executive of the North East LEP, added: “The health and life sciences sector in the North East is a major growth area for our economy, and through the delivery of the North East Health, Life Sciences and Medicines Manufacturing Strategy, we hope to double the number of jobs and businesses active in the sector by 2030.
“The success of the first Biosphere building, which received £8.6m from the North East LEP’s Local Growth Fund, can give investors’ confidence that demand exists in our region for more world-class facilities that enable innovative start-ups to scaleup and grow.”
