GlaxoSmithKline (GSK) has entered into a partnership with the UK Government, The Wellcome Trust and the East of England Development Agency (EEDA), to develop a new biotechnology science park located at GSK’s site at Stevenage.
The company claims that the new campus supported by Government, business and academia, will strengthen the UK bioscience sector and will also compete with those in Boston, California and North Carolina in the US.
According to the company, the initial funding of GBP38m for the science park will be provided by stakeholders led by EEDA. The Department for Business, Innovation and Skills (BIS) has agreed to provide GBP11.7m through a strategic fund and an additional GBP5m from the Technology Strategy Board. GSK will provide land, facilities and investment totaling almost GBP11m. The Wellcome Trust will provide almost GBP6m and the EEDA will provide GBP4m.
Reportedly, companies locating on the park will have shared access to specialist skills, equipment and expertise to stimulate new innovation in drug development. It is anticipated that when complete, the new centre will be the base for approximately 1500 scientists.
Andrew Witty, CEO of GSK, said, “The Stevenage Campus will affirm the UK as a global hub for the life-sciences industry. It will bring together scientists from around the world, providing them with new access to leading research and development facilities. This will foster innovation and accelerate the discovery and development of new medicines.”