London Life Sciences Strategy and achievements

 The London Development Agency (LDA) has been delivering it's Life Sciences Strategy and Action Plan since July 2003.

The aim is to develop London as one of the leading centres for life science research by helping more businesses in the sector thrive.

Achievements

These are some of the achievements established from the delivery of the Strategy and Action plan:

Bioscience key account managers

The introduction of Bioscience key account managers was one of the key recommendations of the Catalyst: London Science and Industry Council Biopharma and Healthcare group.

The LDA is funding a pilot London Bioscience Account Managers programme. The two Bioscience Key Account Managers have been tasked with attracting national and international bioscience businesses to London and advising and directing them to the business support services they require.

You may contact the London Biotechnology Network's Bioscience Key Account Managers by email: bioguide@londonfirst.co.uk or phone: 020 7665 1432 or 020 7665 1433.

Global Medical Excellence Cluster (GMEC)

GMEC aims to combine the significant research capabilities of the participating institutions with a strong emphasis on accelerating collaboration to deliver joint world class research and development programs.

GMEC's combination of capabilities across the Research and Development value chain and the level of collaboration positions GMEC as one of the leading, and fastest growing, global medical clusters.

The founding members of GMEC are:

• Imperial College London,
• King's College London
• University College London
• Oxford University Medical Science Division
• The Maudsley NHS hospital trust
• Royal Marsden NHS hospital trusts.

Visit the GMEC website to find out more.

ATCare

The ATCare Centre is a new Assistive Technology initiative funded through a three year grant from the London Development Agency.

The ATCare Design and Development Centre is due to open in autumn 2008. It's aim will bridge the gaps between the research carried out within universities, the NHS, Small and Medium sized Enterprises and the market place, such that real user requirements can be assessed and met.

News about the launch of the centre in July 2008 can be read here on the NHS Innovations London website.

NHS Innovations London

NHS Innovations London (NHSIL) was formed in November 2005 and supports technology transfer from London's NHS trusts.

A project to support the development of new medical technologies and products from London NHS trusts, through the provision of management resources and funding to take them through to the proof-of-concept stage.

Visit the NHS Innovations London website for more information.

London Genetics Limited

A consortium of the capital's leading science and medical institutions has joined forces to form a commercial company which will position London as the leading European centre for genetic medicine. Formed from a group of leading London universities and research institutes, London Genetics Limited is a specialist agency created to facilitate partnerships between industry and world class academic and clinical centres of excellence in genetics and genomics-based research across London.

The Company's goal is to become the first point of contact for anyone looking to conduct basic research, translational research or clinical studies in London.  It aims to expedite the translation of genetic or genomic-based research into clinical benefit, demonstrating the commercial value of genetics.

Visit London genetics website for news, events and information.

Incubators

At the turn of the millennium, the lack of sufficient incubator space was considered a barrier to London's development as a leading life sciences cluster. Due to LDA involvement London now boasts a range of incubator facilities.

Imperial BioIncubator

In July 2006, London's Imperial College opened a new incubator facility on its South Kensington campus in central London. The two-storey, 24,000 square foot building was jointly funded by Imperial College and the LDA.

The facility provides accommodation for up to 15 start-up companies, the Imperial BioIncubator with its 12 wet laboratories, 16 private offices and suite of meeting rooms, is designed to provide both the research resources and business support needed by biotech companies.

The incubator is part of Imperial Innovations, a technology commercialization and investment company which offers advice and mentoring on the identification of ideas, protection of intellectual property, development of technology, licensing, forming new spin-out companies, incubating and investing.

Visit the Imperial Innovations website for more information and news.

London BioScience Innovation Centre (LBIC)

Part-funded by the LDA is the London BioScience Innovation Centre (LBIC) at the Royal Veterinary College in northwest London. It is a significant facility which provides everything a small biotechnology business needs when starting out.

Opened in 2001, LBIC's 20,000 square foot building is designed to support innovation in biomedical research and science with the most modern and sophisticated support infrastructure. It includes quality office and laboratory space, professional image and business mentoring and is in close proximity to academic and research bases.

For more information visit the London BioScience Innovation Centre website.

Queen Mary Innovation Centre

Another facility which is currently in development is a new Biosciences Innovation Centre at the Whitechapel Campus of Queen Mary's Medical School, University of London.  Jointly developed and funded by the LDA, with the support of regional funding from the Department for Communities and Local Government, the Innovation Centre will be in an area of east London that is developing into a life sciences cluster, centered on Queen Mary’s Medical School and the Royal London Hospital.

From late 2009, The Queen Mary Innovation Centre will provide a state-of-the-art facility comprising approximately 40,000 square feet of laboratories and offices designed specifically for high technology companies operating in the life sciences sector, attracting start-up companies from Queen Mary’s as well as independent companies from further a field.

More information

If you need further information about the LDA's work in Life Sciences please contact Nigel Banister by email: nigelbanister@lda.gov.uk or phone him on 020 7593 8318.