Manchester’s inward investment agency MIDAS has launched a new life sciences prospectus showcasing the city-region’s position as one of the UK’s most dynamic health innovation ecosystems.
The prospectus, produced by MIDAS and the Oxford Road Corridor, was officially unveiled at Sister, the £1.7 billion innovation district and neighbourhood.
Highlighting Manchester’s position within the UK’s £120 billion growing life sciences market, it will delve into the city-region’s strengths in data, genomics, oncology, and real-world evidence clinical trials.
The unveiling follows the UK government’s publication of its Modern Industrial Strategy.
The UK Government’s National Industrial Strategy included plans to make it easier for innovation to be adopted by the NHS through the streamlining of procurement, the introduction of a rules-based process for medtech devices, and NHS Innovator Passports.
Manchester will lead the way as the permanent home of the Industrial Strategy Council, an independent, statutory body that will play a key role in advising the Government on the plan’s implementation.
In the past month alone, there has been major UK Government investment in innovation and research, including nearly £5 million for an innovation partnership between the Universities of Manchester and Cambridge.
This forms part of the Government’s £86 billion commitment to science and technology outlined in the recent Spending Review, which included up to £500 million for regions across the UK, with local leaders set to play a key role in decision-making.
This builds on the success of the Innovation Accelerator programme, which was piloted in Greater Manchester along with the West Midlands and Glasgow City Region.
Manchester is expected to attract even further investment as IQVIA, a global provider of clinical research services, commercial insights and healthcare intelligence to the life sciences and healthcare industries, has completed a major investment in the Medicines Evaluation Unit (MEU) in Wythenshawe, Manchester.
Working with the leadership team at MEU, IQVIA has plans to grow the Wythenshawe site — which is part of the Manchester University NHS Foundation Trust (MFT) campus — boosting economic growth and creating high-value job opportunities for Greater Manchester.
Cllr Bev Craig, Leader of Manchester City Council, said: “We’re seeing ambitious life sciences companies choose Manchester for our unique combination of world-class research, industry partnerships and direct access to the NHS. Our collaborative ecosystem provides the perfect environment for businesses to accelerate from discovery to delivery.
“The investment from IQVIA is exactly the kind of high-value investment we want for Manchester – creating skilled jobs, boosting our innovation economy, and strengthening our position on the world stage.
“What sets us apart is our ability to translate cutting-edge research into real-world applications that improve people’s lives while creating sustainable, high-skilled employment opportunities for our residents. This prospectus demonstrates why Manchester is the ideal location for companies looking to scale their operations and make a global impact.”
Greater Manchester Mayor Andy Burnham said: “Greater Manchester is becoming a globally significant hub for the life sciences sector. Our unique ability to link universities and research institutes, industry, and our regional NHS trusts helps us take discoveries from lab to life faster and at a larger scale.
“The strength of these partnerships is a key reason we can attract companies like IQVIA, whose investment in Wythenshawe will deliver better outcomes for our patients while providing jobs and opportunities for our residents.
“The prospectus we are launching clearly sets out our proposition. By providing a supportive ecosystem, talent and connectivity, we’re creating the ideal environment for businesses to collaborate and grow.”
Kath Mackay, Chief Scientific Officer at Bruntwood SciTech, said: “Manchester’s life sciences ecosystem is already one of the most advanced and collaborative in the UK, underpinned by our globally recognised hospitals, leading research institutions and rapidly growing innovation infrastructure.
“The launch of this prospectus marks an exciting moment for the city and recognises the ambitious scale of our plans and aspirations for the life sciences sector here. It reflects the strengths we already have and makes a compelling case for why Manchester is so well-placed to lead the next chapter of UK life sciences growth.
“At Bruntwood SciTech, we’re proud to be deeply embedded within this ecosystem; creating the specialist lab space, fostering partnerships and curating the communities that help innovation thrive.
“Our innovation campuses from Citylabs to Manchester Science Park and from Circle Square to Alderley Park bring together NHS partners, academia and high-growth businesses in ways that accelerate discovery and real-world application.
“Through our national network, we’re also helping to connect Manchester’s life sciences expertise into other high-potential regions, ensuring that the leadership this city continues to show and the breakthroughs being made here can influence and uplift the UK’s wider innovation economy.”