North-west set for biotechnology innovation boost

The North-west of England is set to further advance its position as a hub for the biotechnology industry following the launch of the Industrial Biotechnology Innovation Catalyst (IBIC).

A collaborative initiative led by the University of Manchester, IBIC is aimed at harnessing the region’s scientific and research expertise to accelerate knowledge exchange, impact, and innovation, and drive a sustainable and research-intensive economy in the region.

Industrial Biotechnology is a multi-disciplinary field that utilises biological resources for everyday product development, including food, fuels, and medicines. The sector has a UK market potential exceeding £34 billion. The launch of the innovation catalyst, backed by the region’s universities, adds to existing local strengths in the sector, such as SME hubs for the industry like Alderley Park, and major healthcare and biomanufacturing companies in the region like Macclesfield’s AstraZeneca.

Aline Miller, Principal Investigator, Professor of Biomolecular Engineering and Associate Dean for Business Engagement and Innovation at the University of Manchester, said:

“The IBIC will unite industry, academia, and local government to produce a complete pipeline of industrial biotechnology innovation that can be used to address imperative global challenges such as climate change and meeting net zero targets, while creating a more sustainable society.

“We are excited to work with our partners to create this ecosystem that will support the thriving community here in the Northwest. We are fortunate that we have such good foundations to build on which naturally allows us to take the next step to making the region, and the UK, leaders in industrial biotechnology.”

The launch of IBIC is expected to stimulate significant investments, create numerous job opportunities, foster collaborative projects, and drive economic growth across the region. Building upon the region’s current credentials of a workforce of 25,000 people and a more than £6 billion turnover each year, the cluster is predicted to directly stimulate £2.5 million cash and £4 million in-kind co-investment, establish 150 collaborative projects, train over 200 students, create up to 100 green jobs, and establish over 20 new commercial ventures which could attract a further £10 million in investment.