16/06/2020
Key points:
A new report summarising the findings of research led by an academic team from the University of Cambridge has demonstrated the benefits and outputs from significant taxpayer investment into the Babraham Research Campus; evidencing the overall economic, social and scientific contribution the Campus makes to the UK economy.
Lead author of the report, Professor Pete Tyler, Professor in Urban and Regional Economics at the University of Cambridge and Director of Cambridge Economic Associates (CEA) Ltd., said: “Investment in the Life Sciences Sector is clearly of fundamental importance to the growth of the UK economy and the well-being of its citizens. The evidence from this study of the economic impact of the Babraham Research Campus shows how well-targeted public sector support over a sustained period of time can add real value by enhancing the creation of knowledge, driving innovation and enabling entrepreneur driven life science businesses to flourish.”
The report’s authors summarise in the report’s Executive Summary that: “The co-location of a vibrant community of start-up and scale-up companies with world-leading academic research from the Babraham Institute, as well as the opportunity for these companies to access a range of state-of-the-art scientific facilities made available by the Institute, are unique features of the BRC that differentiate it from other life sciences campuses in the UK.”
In addition to the value of being able to benefit from the Institute’s research expertise and access the Institute’s state-of-the-art scientific facilities, the report also highlighted the Institute’s efforts in other areas as contributing to the Campus’s unique offerings. This included the Institute’s training, organisation of campus events and active collaborations.
Professor Wolf Reik FRS, Acting Director of the Institute said: "We are excited to see publication of this informative report, which highlights key impacts created by collaborations across the Babraham Research Campus. The Babraham Research Campus is unique in bringing together the world-leading academic research of the Babraham Institute and the vibrant and growing ecosystem of the Campus, with meaningful links existing at many different levels. These links are seen in collaborations, spin-out companies, joint funding, access to world class scientific facilities, training, and generally a better understanding of how fundamental science feeds into commercial developments with huge potential societal benefit."
Dr Karen Lewis, Executive Director, UKRI- BBSRC said: "I am very pleased to see publication of this report, which highlights the significant contribution the Babraham Research Campus makes to the local and national research and innovation ecosystem. UKRI-BBSRC is delighted that the report recognises the Campus as a dynamic place where institute researchers are able to deliver world leading bioscience, and life science companies can develop their science, build and scale-up their business, in a highly connected and collaborative community. The findings from this study highlight the vital role that long-term public and private investment has played in developing the Campus. The insights will help to ensure continued success in delivering economic growth and societal benefits."
The report positions the Campus at the forefront in supporting the UK’s early-stage bioscience enterprises, identifying the contribution that the Campus makes in the commercialisation of life science research and to the life science knowledge base.
The report’s key findings* include:
Andy Richards, CBE, life science entrepreneur, investor and Chair of BBT commented: "It is good to see that those on the Campus value the initiatives that have been adopted and the special culture that has been created. As an investor it is a great place to nurture innovative start-ups and a fruitful place to have fast growing scale-ups. A truly low risk environment for ambitious impactful bioscience."
The report, published today, was commissioned by the Campus partners, Babraham Bioscience Technologies (BBT), the organisation which develops and manages the Babraham Research Campus, UKRI-BBSRC and the Institute. The Executive Summary is available from the Babraham Research Campus website.
* Report data collated in 2019 covering the period 2011-2018.
Press contacts For the Babraham Research Campus: Sarah Brereton, Director, Limewash Tel: +44 (0)7796 583 223 Email: sarah@limewash.co.uk
For the Babraham Institute Dr Louisa Wood, Communications Manager, louisa.wood@babraham.ac.uk
Image description Participants at the annual Campus Science Morning, which brings academic and commercial researchers together to share areas of work and explore collaborative opportunities.
Additional/related resources: Babraham Research Campus Ltd. press release: New report confirms the Babraham Research Campus at the forefront in supporting the UK’s early-stage bioscience enterprises Report’s Executive Summary: ‘The Economic Impact of the Babraham Research Campus: An exploration of key findings’. Annual Research Report feature (2017 report): Making the most of signalling research
About Babraham Research Campus Babraham Research Campus (BRC) Ltd. is responsible for the management and commercial development of the Babraham Research Campus. The Babraham Research Campus is distinct in its colocation of 60 bioscience companies with the Babraham Institute, a world-renowned research organisation which receives strategic funding from the Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council (BBSRC). The aim of the campus is to support UK bioscience through academic research, but also with facilities and capabilities for early-stage and growing commercial organisations. The campus provides companies laboratory and office space, networking and collaboration opportunities, together with access to outstanding scientific facilities in an ideal geographical location at the core of the Cambridge cluster. The campus is managed and developed by BRC on behalf of the BRC shareholders, BBSRC and the Babraham Institute. For more information please visit: www.babraham.com
About the Babraham Institute The Babraham Institute undertakes world-class life sciences research to generate new knowledge of biological mechanisms underpinning ageing, development and the maintenance of health. Our research focuses on cellular signalling, gene regulation and the impact of epigenetic regulation at different stages of life. By determining how the body reacts to dietary and environmental stimuli and manages microbial and viral interactions, we aim to improve wellbeing and support healthier ageing. The Institute is strategically funded by the Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council (BBSRC), part of UK Research and Innovation, through an Institute Core Capability Grant and also receives funding from other UK research councils, charitable foundations, the EU and medical charities.
About BBSRC The Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council (BBSRC) is part of UK Research and Innovation, a non-departmental public body funded by a grant-in-aid from the UK government. BBSRC invests in world-class bioscience research and training on behalf of the UK public. Our aim is to further scientific knowledge, to promote economic growth, wealth and job creation and to improve quality of life in the UK and beyond. Funded by government, BBSRC invested £451 million in world-class bioscience in 2019-20. We support research and training in universities and strategically funded institutes. BBSRC research and the people we fund are helping society to meet major challenges, including food security, green energy and healthier, longer lives. Our investments underpin important UK economic sectors, such as farming, food, industrial biotechnology and pharmaceuticals.
16 June 2020