Date Created: 28 May 2012
"Today marks a major milestone in cementing Scotland’s global reputation for excellence in commercialisation of medical research"
Two new milestones have been reached in the development of the Edinburgh BioQuarter with the official opening of pioneering bio-medical faciliites.
The Scottish Centre for Regenerative Medicine and new bio-incubator building Nine were opened by HRH, the Princess Royal.
The University of Edinburgh's £54 million Scottish Centre for Regenerative Medicine will carry out cutting-edge stem cell research to help find therapies for patients with conditions such as multiple sclerosis, Parkinson’s disease, motor neurone disease, and heart and liver diseases.
Up to 250 scientists will work at the centre, the first purpose built facility of its kind, which has been funded by the University of Edinburgh, Scottish Enterprise, the Medical Research Council (MRC) and the British Heart Foundation.
Nine is a £24 million bio-incubator facility providing 85,000 square feet of laboratory and office space for established bio-technology companies and start-up ventures. Nine has been jointly funded by Scottish Enterprise and the UK Government’s Department for Business, Innovation and Skills.
Both buildings form part of Edinburgh BioQuarter encompassing he Royal Infirmary of Edinburgh and the University of Edinburgh’s Queen’s Medical Research Institute and Chancellor’s Building in the Little France area of the city.
Professor Charles ffrench-Constant, Director of the Medical Research Council Centre for Regenerative Medicine at the Scottish Centre for Regenerative Medicine and Chair of Chair of Medical Neurology at the University of Edinburgh, said:
"Recent research into stem cells has heralded the beginning of a revolution in modern medicine. The Scottish Centre for Regenerative Medicine’s great strength lies in bringing world-class clinicians and scientists to work together, encouraging the translation of laboratory discoveries into treatments for patients. The research will help in finding treatments for devastating conditions, for which there are currently no cures."
Jim McFarlane, Managing Director of Operations at Scottish Enterprise said:
"Scotland has a distinguished history in developing breakthroughs in medical science and we believe that, collectively, the concentration of world-class research and facilities at Edinburgh BioQuarter will provide a breeding ground conducive to new medical discoveries that will continue that tradition for centuries to come and have a significant impact on the Scottish economy.
"Already Nine has secured its first tenants and is attracting significant interest from potential occupiers from Scotland's life sciences sector. Today marks a major milestone in cementing Scotland’s global reputation for excellence in commercialisation of medical research."
Edinburgh BioQuarter is a joint venture between NHS Lothian, Scottish Enterprise, the University of Edinburgh and Alexandria Real Estate Equities, to boost developments in life sciences.
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