North East England has one of the most comprehensive life sciences offers in the world.
Everything needed to support life sciences activities is based in the region – from initial research, product development and testing to clinical trials and production facilities. We are a thriving hub of research and development (R&D) excellence and experts in clinical trials, pharmaceutical manufacturing, precision medicine, and ageing and health.
We are a one-stop-shop for life sciences.
World-class research and facilities
Companies working in pharmaceuticals, diagnostics, advanced therapies and ageing can access leading expertise in R&D, innovation and large-scale manufacturing, and operate from a choice of state-of-the-art facilities.
Our vibrant research and innovation community features world-leading life sciences companies, a research-active public health system and a strong research and clinical trials network.
We are home to two science parks Newcastle Helix and NETPark and have exceptional R&D facilities and centres of excellence, such as National Innovation Centres for Data and Ageing, the International Centre for Life, the National Horizon Centre and the National Healthcare Photonics Centre at CPI.
Companies locating to the North East can enjoy premium laboratory and office space, plus a range of bespoke soft-landing packages to support their move to the region.
Outstanding medical expertise
The North East has a unique combination of medical and technology assets, networks and academic expertise to support businesses and investors in the region. It also benefits from closer integration with regional academic, NHS, and innovation support organisations including Health Innovation – North East & North Cumbria (HI-NENC)
Newcastle is the only UK city with a MedTech and In-Vitro Diagnostics Co-operative (MIC) and an MRC/EPSRC Molecular Pathology Node. It also hosts the NIHR’s Innovation Observatory at Newcastle University.
The region has a strong record of patient participation in clinical trials, providing life sciences companies with a large and established base of study participants. The National Innovation Centre for Ageing (NICA), based in Newcastle, is home to VOICE Global engaging thousands of global citizens with whom concepts and products can be developed and tested.
Newcastle upon Tyne Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust is consistently in the top ranks of the National Institute for Health Research (NIHR) league tables for their clinical research and clinical trials for their numbers of recruiting studies, numbers of open commercial portfolio studies, and percentage of commercial studies recruiting patients to time and target.
The North East has a highly skilled talent pool, with nearly 9,500 people currently employed in life sciences and a further 110,000 in the wider manufacturing sector.
The region is extremely well-connected by excellent rail, road, air and port networks that offer great export potential to the pharmaceutical manufacturing sector.
This unrivalled offer has attracted an impressive community of world-class organisations. Pharmaceutical manufacturers GSK, Accord Healthcare, Organon, Quotient Sciences and Piramal Healthcare develop, test and distribute life-saving medications across the globe from their bases in the North East. Pioneering R&D companies including QuantumDX, CellRev, Iksuda, 3D Bio-tissues and Alcyomics are also located here.
Supporting your move to the North East
Life sciences companies choosing to locate in North East England will benefit from a wide range of business support and cluster networks primed to offer guidance and advice across a range of topics.
To support a smooth transition to the region, Invest North East England can provide a range of services, including property searches, data on skills and guidance on incentives, as well as making introductions to specialist networks that can offer guidance and links to potential customers, opportunities and R&D support.
