BioCity to support Newcastle life science innovators at The Biosphere

Life sciences incubator BioCity has been tasked with running an accelerator and business support programme at Newcastle Helix.

BioCity will deliver the initiative for Newcastle City Council from The Biosphere – a new purpose-built 90,000 sq ft lab and office facility geared towards ambitious startups in the sector.

At Helix, BioCity will encourage the creation and growth of small businesses by supporting entrepreneurial activity and helping to commercialise the most promising life sciences innovations.

BioCity’s work will include delivering workshops around networking, connectivity, skills and acceleration, along with events that will test the commercial viability of ideas.

Support will also include advice on securing funding and upskilling management teams.

Newcastle City Council’s Cabinet Member for Employment, Cllr Ged Bell, said: “It’s all about creating the right environment for new, ambitious and growing life science businesses to grow and thrive.

“Thanks to vital funding from the European Regional Development Fund and the Government’s Local Growth Deal through the North East Local Enterprise Partnership (LEP), this programme will play a crucial role in supporting our city to create a dynamic fast-growing life science sector.”

He continued: “This will not only support our ambition for long-term economic growth within the life sciences sector, it will accelerate demand for The Biosphere and demand for future phases.

“The development of commercial lab space and the launch of this accelerator programme underpins Newcastle’s commitment to the sector and provides us with a platform to build a strong and internationally recognised life science sector. This accelerator programme directly facilitates the creation of new sustainable life science businesses and we are delighted to have BioCity on board.”

BioCity Group chief exec Toby Reid commented: “The Biosphere is an exciting new development for the life sciences sector in the North East and we are delighted to have been selected to run its accelerator programme.

“Newcastle has a growing reputation for health and life sciences and with the largest NHS Hospital Trusts outside of London and the strength of the local universities; we believe there is a huge potential for new and ambitious life sciences ventures as well as help existing ones to scale.”