Bioscience companies benefit from dedicated space
Posted on 7 January 2009
It provides a dedicated area for interaction with external partners, giving them greater access to facilities and expertise in the University’s Department of Biology.
We have been delighted by the level of use the Centre has already attracted and we see it as a valuable addition to the services available from Science City York
Steph Morris, Policy and Projects Manager at Science City York
The Centre is already a key feature of the Department’s engagement with external partners, with 26 commercial organisations and governmental agencies using it during the first year. The Centre has been the location for initial discussions that have led to collaborative projects or fee-for-service work, contributing to an increase in the Department’s knowledge exchange activity in the last year and a reduction in travel due to easy access to video conferencing facilities.
Created as part of the Science City York ‘Hub and Spoke’ project, the Centre is funded through the Northern Way Initiative supported by Yorkshire Forward.
The Bioscience Business Centre has been a big hit with users. It has a large meeting room with video conferencing facilities, business development office, and hot desk area.
Dr Dan Pettit, of Avecia Biologics Ltd, a global contract bio-processing and manufacturing organisation based at Billingham, said: "The Business Centre provided an ideal forum for formal strategic discussions, prior to a tour of the excellent facilities available within the Department. As a result of the meeting, commencement of the collaborative work has been sanctioned."
Dr Mark Saw, from York-based Authentix, a global leader in product authentication, commented that the Centre’s hot desk area was particularly valuable while using the facilities in the Department’s Technology Facility.
Alison Bell, of Beckman Coulter, a major supplier of clinical diagnostics, automation and research equipment, said: "We have a number of interactions with the Department, mainly based around our world leading flow cytometers. Being able to effectively book our own office to use while visiting the Department has been a real help."
Dr Joe Ross, Business Development Manager for Life Sciences, Health and Medicine at the University said: "The Bioscience Business Centre has been a major benefit in being able to readily host visitors in a dedicated area conducive to commercially sensitive discussions. It helps to demonstrate to commercial organisations the high priority the University gives to its engagement with business."
Steph Morris, Policy and Projects Manager at Science City York, added: "We have been delighted by the level of use the Centre has already attracted and we see it as a valuable addition to the services available from Science City York to support technology-based companies."
ENDS
Notes to editors:
- The University of York’s Department of Biology is one of the leading centres for biological teaching and research in the UK. The Department both teaches degree courses and undertakes research across the whole spectrum of modern Biology, from molecular genetics and biochemistry to ecology. Its biomedical research includes an Immunology and Infection Unit (jointly with the Hull York Medical School), work on infertility and three research professors funded by Yorkshire Cancer Research and York Against Cancer.
- The University of York Technology Facility is a premier research support and technology training unit in the Department of Biology. With 19 expert staff and more than £6.5 million of advanced equipment in 2,000 square metres of laboratory space, it provides access to important bioscience technology platforms for University and external researchers.
- Science City York is a successful business and skills development initiative, driving the creation and growth of business and employment opportunities across York and North Yorkshire in bioscience, IT & digital and the creative industries. Established in 1998 as a partnership between City of York Council and The University of York with significant backing from business, Science City York is supported by Yorkshire Forward, the Regional Development Agency for Yorkshire and the Humber.
- Yorkshire Forward. Over the past year, Yorkshire Forward has created or safeguarded more than 22,254 jobs; helped create and attract more than 1067 new businesses, assisted 60,005 people in skills, and attracted £467m in investment – achieving or exceeding all of the targets it was set. The Northern Way is a unique collaboration led by the three Northern Regional Development Agencies (One NorthEast, Northwest Regional Development Agency and Yorkshire Forward) working with partners to close the £30 billion output gap between the North and the average for England over a 25 year period. With a population of 14.5 million the North is equivalent to a medium-sized country (such as Sweden) with a large internal market. Its economy is worth in excess of £200 billion. The North has undergone a period of revival over the last nine years. Its economy is now stronger than at any time in the last 40 years and employment is at a post war high. Local authorities and RDAs have led the revitalisation of our regions, cities, towns and local communities.