A landmark building that will boost Newcastle’s reputation as an international centre of life science research has officially opened in the centre of the city.
The Biosphere has become the latest building to open its doors to businesses within the multimillion pound Newcastle Helix development, which has been designed to create a hub for science and tech businesses in the North East.
The building has been equipped with four floors of fitted laboratories, as well as grade A offices and conference space to cater for firms looking to grow in the life sciences sector. 10 businesses have already moved into the site, with many more expected to join them as Newcastle Helix continues to develop.
One of the firms taking up space in The Biosphere is drug development company Iksuda Therapeutics.
The firm is is currently working to create antibody-based therapies to treat cancer and decided to move into The Biosphere because of the access to bespoke laboratories at the site, as well as the local talent available in the North East.
The firm has 13 members of staff based in its Newcastle office, as well as two in London, one in Manchester, and another seven in its US base in Boston. However, it expects to grow its Newcastle team further and will be given access to further space in The Biosphere once it fills its current capacity.
David Simpson, chief executive officer of Iksuda, said that The Biosphere and Newcastle Helix was a “huge step” for the city and was paving the way for businesses to thrive in the region.
Mr Simpson said: “It is a world proven model that clusters work in accelerating companies’ interactions and their own programmes.
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“For Newcastle to take that step and build that facility here is a huge step forward. We are centralising people who are currently spread around the country. It is a starting point and we have to recognise it is a starting point. We have to be ambitious enough to grow it globally.
“The clinical centre here is fantastic. The talented people - particularly in our sector for the discovery of tech - and the manufacturing sector here is great.”
Coun Ged Bell, Newcastle’s cabinet member for investment and employment, said that the development was not just good for businesses in the region but was building a foundation for the engineers and scientists of the future.
Coun Bell said: “To see the site accelerate beyond everybody’s expectation, and not just be known locally but internationally, is fantastic. It has 10 occupants of high quality and as it is recognised internationally, that breeds success.”
He added: “From someone who has spent his life in Newcastle, I come here and I am full of pride. It has gone from one world class brand - from the Scottish & Newcastle brewery and Brown Ale - to another with Newcastle Helix, which is also getting recognised internationally.
“With this type of technology and science working hand-in-hand with businesses in the heart of Newcastle, it is creating jobs, opportunities and aspirations. It is giving people hope for a better life in the heart of Newcastle.”