Anglia Ruskin to start construction of Medical Business Innovation Centre

25 March 2013

Construction of the first building of the new Anglia Ruskin University medtech campus will start at the beginning of April. 

The £6 million Medical Business Innovation Centre (MedBIC) will be built on the Chelmsford campus — on of three sites for the medtech campus — and is a collaboration between Anglia Ruskin, Chelmsford City Council and Essex County Council.

The new centre is designed to serve as a hub to assist in the creation and growth of a significant number of start-up and early-stage medical technology companies, as well as the development of wider innovation networks for Chelmsford, Essex and beyond.

The new facility is planned to open in spring 2014 and is expected to be home to up to 78 businesses and create 120 jobs in its first three years of operating. In addition, through the wider activities associated with the centre, at least a further 220 businesses will be assisted in terms of development and growth.

The Anglia Ruskin University MedBIC will house a suite of engineering research laboratories, 1,000m2 of office and meeting space, business support services, and a student enterprise incubation space called the StartupLab.


The new Medical Business Innovation Centre (MedBIC)
to be built in Chelmsford

Professor Michael Thorne, Vice Chancellor of Anglia Ruskin University, said: “The Anglia Ruskin University MedBIC will provide a vital role in the development of start-up and micro businesses which focus on medical technology and engineering products.

“Through the excellent facilities on offer and the advice of business experts and Anglia Ruskin academics, we expect exciting research and development to reach lucrative global markets much quicker than might otherwise occur.

“Our aim is that the Anglia Ruskin University MedBIC, combined with the Anglia Ruskin MedTech Campus, will help Essex become a world-renowned centre of excellence for innovation, specialising in near-market developments in the medical technology sector.”

Mike Smith, Senior Inward Investment, Economy & Growth Officer at Chelmsford City Council, said: “Chelmsford has a great record of entrepreneurship and innovation and the provision of the Anglia Ruskin University MedBIC will no doubt act as a further catalyst to capitalise on the extensive technical expertise of our larger private sector companies.

“Preliminary research undertaken prior to making the commitment to build the centre illustrated that several high tech companies welcomed the concept and would be keen to bring their business to the new facility, thus providing much valued inward investment.

“As companies are given assistance to grow, developing innovative new products and markets, they will provide a wide range of jobs for the future.  Whilst these companies will provide added value through their businesses, the overall prosperity of the local area will also be enhanced.”

Councillor Kevin Bentley, Cabinet Member for Economic Growth at Essex County Council, said: “The Anglia Ruskin University MedBIC will be a great resource for Essex businesses to use.  There will be facilities available which will enable them to learn and grow as a business, as well as provide support and networking opportunities.

“We hope the centre will become a magnet for early-stage and growing businesses looking for a stimulating and supportive working environment.

“Essex County Council has been a key partner in the funding and development of the centre, which is just one of the ways we are supporting businesses in the county and the Essex economy, all of which is outlined in our Essex Economic Growth Strategy.”

See also MTB Europe news:

UK medtech sector boosted by launch of Anglia Ruskin MedTech Campus www.mtbeurope.info/news/2012/1205019.htm

 

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