ICON to expand into Bruntwood’s Citylabs

The US company, which provides its services to the pharmaceutical and biotechnology industries, has taken 40,000 sq ft pre-let at Citylabs, Bruntwood’s newly-developed biomedical centre that was formerly the Manchester Royal Eye Hospital. 

ICON currently operates a hospital-based Clinical Pharmacology Unit on the Manchester Royal Infirmary Campus, but will move to the new, larger Citylabs facility when the building completes at the end of 2013.

Along with ICON’s Translational Medicine Research Centre, Citylabs will feature biohealth organisations, including the Central Manchester University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, The University of Manchester and other commercial research organisations.

Dr Mario Rocci, president of ICON Development Solutions, said: “This expansion will enable ICON to increase the capacity of its Clinical Pharmacology Unit in Manchester as well as the scientific services that are essential in providing a world class offering.”

Mike Deegan, chief executive of Central Manchester University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, said: “This exciting development supports our progress to be the leading hospital for research and patient care in England and Citylabs will strengthen our capability to support the development of new medicines and diagnostics for our patients.

“We are pleased that ICON, who is one of the leaders in early phase trials, is expanding into Citylabs which will help our patients to get early access to leading edge new treatments.”

Sir Richard Leese, leader of Manchester City Council, added: “Manchester has a proud tradition of cutting edge research and we recognise the knowledge-based economy as a crucial driver for growth and job creation. 

“Citylabs stands at the heart of the Corridor, a nationally important concentration of knowledge-based assets, and the announcement that ICON will be establishing themselves here is hugely welcome.”