The region offers life science companies a unique opportunity to locate in purpose-built labs, dedicated to the advancement of the health and life sciences sector.
These facilities are part of an established ecosystem that includes many cluster and business networks and a strong education offer in both health and associated sciences, which are already supporting and conducting international R&D research from the region.
We are internationally renowned for our centres of excellence in personalised medicine, digital health, advanced therapies and biopharma manufacturing.
Key Assets
The North East has an outstanding collection of world-leading facilities – including two science parks – ready to support companies in the life sciences sector.
Newcastle Helix is a landmark 24-acre hybrid city quarter in the centre of Newcastle, built for international technology and science businesses, the local community and residents.
It is home to The Biosphere, a unique ecosystem of commercial laboratories, conference space, Grade A offices and support services for ambitious companies in the life sciences, healthcare and emerging fields of biotechnology.
The National Innovation Centre for Ageing and National Innovation Centre for Data are also based at the park and provide unique access to intelligence, expertise and business support.
Other assets in Newcastle Helix ensure full bench-to-bedside development within an hour’s drive, from discovering molecules and clinical trials to manufacturing in pharmaceutical plants.
NETPark in County Durham is the only science park in the UK with two UK Catapult Centres. It provides science, technology and engineering companies with a wide choice of world-class laboratory, clean room and office space from the incubation needed in the embryonic stage of growth to the larger spaces needed by companies who are ready to prototype and scale up to manufacture on site.
The International Centre for Life, based in Newcastle, is the UK’s first biotechnology village and has delivered ground-breaking research into regenerative medicine and genetics since it opened in 2000. It is home to the Institute of Genetic Medicine, NHS Newcastle Fertility Centre and NHS Northern Genetics Service.
CPI is a leading independent technology innovation centre based in County Durham offering business with R&D expertise, world-leading facilities plus national innovation centres and connections to academic professionals.
The National Horizons Centre (NHC) is a research, teaching and training facility sitting at the heart of a cluster of excellence on Darlington’s Central Park alongside the National Biologics Manufacturing Centre and the Centre for Professional and Executive Development.
Gateshead’s PROTO is Europe’s first dedicated centre for emerging technology. It is pursuing R&D for the development of digital solutions, such as virtual and augmented reality, 3D and 4D clinical imaging, and anatomy software, to deliver medtech education.