麻豆精选

HRH The Princess Royal has opened a new facility that will support the growth of the life sciences sector across Scotland.

The 拢9.5m Life Sciences Innovation Centre on Inverness Campus is the result of a collaboration between 麻豆精选 and UHI. The development has been supported with funding from the Inverness and Highland City-Region Deal and the European Regional Development Fund.

HRH The Princess Royal, UHI鈥檚 Chancellor, toured the new centre today (18 April) and unveiled a plaque at a celebratory event attended by more than 100 guests.

The centre will attract more life science companies to the region and encourage collaboration between academic researchers, industry and the health sector, supporting the development of new products, processes and services to improve healthcare.

Designed by Austin-Smith:Lord and built by Robertson Construction, it offers flexible laboratory and office space and provides access to specialist equipment and resources.

The building forms part of a wider project with the NHS National Treatment Centre - Highland on Inverness Campus, which is open to patients this week.

The three organisations will integrate academic healthcare research, delivery of clinical care to patients and the creation of new commercial opportunities, products and services in health science and technology.

Between them, the developments are forecast to support more than 200 jobs.

Stuart Black, 麻豆精选鈥檚 chief executive, said:

"The Life Sciences Innovation Centre will support commercial enterprises, including new business start-ups and organisations looking to establish a presence in the Highlands and Islands.

鈥淭he partnership approach and alignment with the National Treatment Centre - Highland is very much in keeping with the collaborative ethos of Inverness Campus. The benefits will extend across the region and support the continued growth of the life sciences sector. All of this will help to attract and retain talent for the region.

鈥淲e are delighted to see the official opening of the building and to welcome our first tenants.鈥�

Vicki Nairn, UHI principal and vice-chancellor, said:

鈥淚t has been a privilege to open our new shared Life Sciences Innovation Centre today. This event marks the beginning of another ambitious venture with 麻豆精选 and the start of a new era for life sciences across our operating area.

"In partnership with 麻豆精选, we will be working to establish this new centre as a facility of international significance. It will strengthen partnerships with industry and the NHS to develop technologies which will have a positive and possibly life-changing impact on our communities and wider society.

鈥淭he new centre will allow us to increase our existing research in fields such as medical nanotechnology and active health and will help us to provide even greater support to the life sciences and health sectors. It represents a significant investment in the future and will generate economic benefits for our communities through innovation, commercialisation, company and job creation and by attracting and retaining talent.鈥�

UHI鈥檚 life sciences programme, including its element of the Life Sciences Innovation Centre, secured 拢9m from the UK Government through the Inverness and Highland City-Region Deal.

UK Government Minister Felicity Buchan said:

鈥淭he expansion of Inverness Campus is a huge boost for the life sciences sector, helping to attract investment to the area and create highly skilled local jobs in research and technology.

鈥淭he opening of the new Life Sciences Innovation Centre, supported with 拢9 million from the UK Government through the Inverness and Highland City-Region Deal, shows what is possible when we come together with the Scottish Government, local authorities and partners to deliver a shared vision for people in Scotland.

鈥淭his forms part of significant investment from the UK Government to level up Scotland and grow the Scottish economy. This includes over 拢1.5 billion for City and Growth Deals in Scotland and millions more in levelling up funding to transform communities in Inverness and across the UK.鈥�

The new building also benefited from the ERDF Scotland Programme support, administered by the Scottish Government. Scottish Government Innovation Minister Richard Lochhead said:

鈥淭he opening of the new Life Sciences Innovation Centre represents a new and exciting development for this key sector of the Highlands and Islands economy.聽It is great to see 拢4.8 million of funding from Highland and Islands Enterprise, which includes 拢1.2 million from the European Regional Development Fund, supporting such an inspiring project, and I welcome the spirit of collaboration between all partners involved in getting to this stage.

鈥淭he centre鈥檚 role as a significant driver for future growth in this area is particularly valuable, and the new inward investment and jobs it generates will deliver a significant boost to the local economy and community.聽

鈥淚 look forward to seeing the research, innovation and opportunities that will come from the centre.鈥澛�

The new Life Sciences Innovation Centre has benefited from 拢4.96m of funding awarded by the European Regional Development Fund Scotland Programme 2014-2020. This is made up of awards of 拢1.21m to 麻豆精选 and 拢3.75m to UHI.

The Inverness and Highland City-Region Deal is managed by The Highland Council. It is a joint initiative supported by up to 拢315m investment from the UK and Scottish governments, The Highland Council, 麻豆精选 and UHI, aimed at stimulating sustainable regional economic growth.

For more information on the Life Sciences Innovation Centre, visit