£7m BioHub will strengthen Birmingham’s medtech reputation

A NEW £7m medical research facility in Birmingham is set to strengthen the city’s reputation as a major centre for biomedical technology.

The Biomedical Innovation Hub, based on Birmingham Research Park at the heart of the Edgbaston Medical Quarter, is set to open next month.

The Edgbaston Medical Quarter is home to 64% of the city’s healthcare economy, including 180 medical organisations, 44 GP clinics and routine care facilities and 80 specialist care centres.

The BioHub, the first purpose-built facility of its type in the UK, is based on the successful co-working spaces of ‘plug-and-play’ biotech incubators currently in vogue in the United States.

The building, funded by the European Regional Development Fund, in conjunction with Birmingham City Council and the University of Birmingham, is set to provide a vibrant community of entrepreneurs and start-up businesses which can benefit from specialist workspace, access to the latest technology and a fully serviced laboratory.

The BioHub’s central laboratory is supported by a variety of specialist rooms for Category 2 microbiology, a freezing capability of down to -150°C, a microscopy lab, a wet room with specialist cleaning and sterilisation facilities, and a cryogenic suite for housing liquid nitrogen.

Tenants will have full use of all the high-tech laboratory equipment, and additionally, access to on-site Laboratory Managers to provide support, training and advice. An innovation office provides hot-desking, high speed internet and administration facilities to ensure that wet-lab activities and data analysis can be combined under one roof.

The adjacent BizzInn provides additional flexible office space and meeting rooms for entrepreneurs. Tenants will also benefit from access to the diverse network of businesses, research scientists and clinicians based at the University of Birmingham and the Queen Elizabeth Hospital.

When complete and fully operational, there will be 24 shared spaces for individuals and start-up businesses to use for their early stage or proof of concept research. The first floor is being fitted out as larger laboratory and office space suitable for small to medium sized companies – and ideal for start-ups that need grow-on space later on but don’t want to relocate.

James Wilkie, CEO of Birmingham Research Park said the new centre would be a major contributor to the success of Birmingham’s flourishing medical research and healthcare district.

“This is a landmark building for Edgbaston, Birmingham and the UK in which entrepreneurs, inventors and health professionals work alongside, and learn from, each other in a vibrant high-growth community,” he said.

Helen Miller-Viney, Business Development Manager of The BioHub added: “By providing these facilities, we aim to strengthen our healthcare economy and become the leader in biomedical and innovation research in the UK.”

The hub’s first tenant has been confirmed as NanoTi, a Hungarian medtech start-up specialising in dental implants.

The firm will be arriving early next year but Ms Miller-Viney said the centre was now receiving enquiries on an almost daily basis.

“It’s a fabulous place, perfect for creating a community of entrepreneurs – who’ll also be able to access world class facilities just a stone’s throw away at the university,” she said.

“Over recent years a lot of research work has been focused on the so-called ‘Golden Triangle’ of Oxford, Cambridge and London. One of the key parts of my job is to encourage people to think outside of that triangle.”

There will be open days for prospective tenants on December 9 and 10, and January 21.