Specialist lab facility launches at Newcastle Helix

The latest development at Newcastle Helix has been launched with an official event on July 4 attended by leaders from the scientific community and Newcastle City Council.

The Biosphere is a specialist lab facility tailored to commercialisation of life sciences. It provides biology and chemistry laboratories and high-quality office space.

Global head of neuroscience discovery at MSD, Dr Fiona Marshall, attended the event alongside Councillor Ged Bell, cabinet member for employment and investment and Pat Ritchie, chief executive at Newcastle City Council.

The event was also used as an opportunity to bring the sector together and thank everyone who has been involved in the project to date.

MSD is one of the leading biopharmaceutical companies in the world. Dr Fiona Marshall joined them as vice president of discovery research UK and has since taken the role she now holds.

Dr Marshall said: “I would like to congratulate Newcastle City Council on their vision of creating a new bio tech cluster, helping to attract new investment and facilitate new innovations that have the potential to impact people right across the world.

“I would also like to take this opportunity to thank Newcastle for making me feel so welcome. It was a pleasure to officially open The Biosphere, a building that will play a vital role in the growth of the life science sector.

“The spirit of innovation is really alive in Newcastle and there is so much support to help companies to develop and grow.

“The range and quality of the science happening in the Biosphere is remarkable and I have no doubt that more and more academics and entrepreneurs will choose Newcastle as a base to commercialise their products and new discoveries.”

Councillor Ged Bell added: “This event provided an opportunity to celebrate the story so far and showcase this specialist facility locally, nationally and internationally.

“The Biosphere was a significant investment for the local economy and marked a clear commitment to life sciences growth.”

The Biosphere is already home to several life science businesses including Iksuda Therapeutics, NorthGene, Jiahua, MDNA Life Sciences, Northern Retrieval Registry, Alcyomics, Atelerix, Newchem, Biberchem and Demuris.