Newcastle biomedical consortium celebrates collective multi-million pound grant

Newcastle based Life Sciences and Biomedical businesses, LightOx, NunaBio, Magnitude Biosciences and Hexis Lab are celebrating securing several grant awards amounting to over £2.5m from Innovate UK’s latest round of R&D grants.

Innovate UK provides the UK’s most innovative companies grant funding to help accelerate their growth and leverage private sector investment in the region. Through the support of advocates such as Labour’s Shadow Science MP Chi Onwurah, the region is able to demonstrate its capability and excellence in commercialising scientific breakthroughs.

The funding will be used to advance the pharmaceutical and biotechnology research services, technology and drug development of these stand out companies. Innovate UK, part of UK Research and Innovation, has invested up to £25m in a range of projects across the country this year.

The North East is fast becoming a hotbed of talent and innovation, with a notable rise in Life Sciences and Biomedical companies in the region proud to call it their home.

An industry that has been supported not only through available funding but by key advocates including Labour’s Shadow Science MP Chi Onwurah, who has been lending her voice as shadow science minister to the sector in Westminster and beyond.

A voice that has most importantly helped in levelling up available investment and encouraged more of that funding back into the region.

Chi Onwurah MP, commented: “The UK’s fantastic Life Science sector is the envy of countries across the world and a reflection of our brilliant science base and proud history of scientific discovery. These companies are addressing critical areas of discovery in medicine, vaccines and biochemical manufacturing.

“The Life Sciences sector is not only key to extending our quality of life, but is also crucial to creating a high wage, high growth, high skill, high productivity economy we all want to see. Labour recognises that Life Sciences must be a central part of any growth strategy and fundamental to building regional economies like here in the North East.

“LightOx, NunaBio, Magnitude Biosciences and Hexis Lab are shining examples of the innovation we have here on our doorstep and the award of the grants will only go to support them further on their growth journeys. Delivering pioneering solutions and helping to put the North East firmly on the map.”

Dr Sam Whitehouse, chief executive officer at LightOx and NELEP Board Member, concluded: “The health and Life Sciences sector presents a huge number of opportunities for the North East and it’s been great to have the support of MP Chi Onwurah and to see the interest and levels of investment benefitting so many fellow businesses in the region.”

By Matthew Neville – Senior Correspondent, Bdaily

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