Wales’ new centre for Life Sciences scientific innovation has recorded eight times more visitors than expected since opening three months ago, and is celebrating its 1000th unique visitor.
The news comes as the UK Life Sciences sector was reported to be at a seven-year growth high, with the UK revealed as the top destination for Life Sciences fundraising in Europe.
Highlights since the launch include hosting global event TEDxCardiffLive, a crowd-funding launch event for the company Nudjed, and a showcase and networking event for the Institute of Life Science, the research arm of Swansea University’s College of Medicine. Hub membership has now risen to 57 members, compared to its target of 20, and the Hub has been welcoming an average of 81 unique visitors per week.
The Life Sciences Hub Wales launched on 17th July as a national and international focal point for the Life Sciences and Healthcare sectors in Wales. The Hub, based at Cardiff Bay, brings together academic, business, clinical, professional services and funding organisations to provide a commercially-driven melting pot of talent.
The Life Sciences Hub Wales’ Chief Operating Officer Dr Ian Barwick said: “We have been delighted at the quality and breadth of visitors to the Hub so far, with guests ranging from start-ups in the sector to academic organisations and well-established businesses such as GE and Microsoft.
“We have received much higher levels of interest than anticipated and are looking forward to the next few months. With membership levels greatly surpassing the target of 20, we look forward to opening the doors to our next thousand visitors.”
Combined with the £100 million Life Sciences Investment Fund, the Hub has been used to connect the Life Sciences sector throughout Wales, attract new sector opportunities and investment, nurture emerging Life Sciences projects, and accelerate the growth of the Life Sciences sector in Wales stimulating jobs and economic growth.
The Hub’s events space is being used by businesses and academic bodies, including Microsoft, which hosted its Public Sector Technology day event earlier this month.
The 1000th person, Professor Paul Smith, visited as the Hub hosted a CBS technology day, which focused on the advantages of resource sharing in Life Sciences. Professor Smith, 61, was presenting at the event on the use of shared services specifically in scientific discovery and development, while the 999th visitor, Dr Rebecca Fullerton, 32, was representing BBI Solutions at the event.
Minister for Economy, Science and Transport, Edwina Hart, said: “I congratulate the Life Sciences Hub for Wales for making such a strong start and attracting so many visitors in its first twelve weeks. Our vision for the Hub is that it is the central resource for the entire sector throughout Wales providing an unparalleled level of coordinated support, advice and finance, and excellent opportunities for collaboration and innovation. The success of the Hub so far demonstrates the central role that the Hub is playing in developing the Life Sciences Sector in Wales. I am delighted to see it thriving so early.”
Executive Chairman of the Life Sciences Hub Wales Professor Chris McGuigan added: “The Life Sciences Hub Wales has proved a hugely attractive destination for a range of companies. It is brilliant to see the Hub thriving. Wales has excellent credentials in the Life Sciences world and the Hub is a testament to our drive to translate this for patient benefit, job creation and growth. We are delighted to have already vindicated Minister Hart’s enormously strong support for this venture.”
Professor Paul Smith, Scientific Director of pharmaceutical company OncoTherics Ltd and Director of MediWales, said: “It was my first time at the Hub, and I was pleasantly surprised at the great potential for networking in the Hub’s relaxed setting as well as the flow of interaction within the facilities. It matched my high expectations and it was a great location for giving my presentation.”
Dr Rebecca Fullerton, New Product Development Senior Scientist at global diagnostics firm BBI Solutions, added: “Attending the CBS technology day was my first time at the Hub, although BBI Solutions is a member, and my colleagues regularly use its space to host meetings and brainstorms.
“It was great to see the Hub at work and find out more information about its range of services, including funding opportunities and potential collaborations.”