A research and development center is set to open here, thanks to 8 million pounds in funding from the East of England Development Agency (EEDA). The new 100,000 square foot, state-of-the-art regional wet lab incubator center, based in Welwyn Garden City, will be named Bio Park Hertfordshire. It will provide specialist facilities and support for life science companies to grow and develop new products.

David Marlow, CEO of EEDA, said one of the East of England’s key strengths is its impressive record in research and development (R&D), which is why EEDA is keen to support this project.

“In order to maintain our leadership position in developing and realizing innovation in science technology and research it is vital we have a good provision of high quality R&D facilities,” he said. “By enabling the University of Hertfordshire to purchase this facility, EEDA is helping to ensure our region’s life science companies have access to the facilities they need to develop and grow.”

Working with former occupiers, Swiss health care company Roche Products, EEDA and the University of Hertfordshire stepped in to buy the laboratory complex. All parties wanted to ensure that the region’s life science companies safeguarded these facilities for future use, Marlow said.

“We are delighted these facilities are to be used to further advances in the field of life sciences,” said John Melville, managing director of Roche in the UK.

Roche continues to have a strong presence in Welwyn Garden City, having recently moved to an office-complex in Shire Park that meets the developing needs of its 1,200-strong work force, he added.

The new Bio Park Hertfordshire facility aims to stimulate demand for research and development knowledge transfer among the region’s life science small and medium enterprises (SMEs). It will ensure strong links are developed between regional universities, research institutes and the private sector, as well as assist in developing high-skill levels to support the knowledge economy as part of the life sciences enterprise hub.

Professor Tim Wilson, vice chancellor of the University of Hertfordshire, said the funding contribution from EEDA has enabled the development of this opportunity.

“This project is ideally suited to the university’s business focus and its commitment to breaking down barriers to collaboration between business, the professions, the public sector and academia,” he said. “We are very excited to be able to announce this collaboration with EEDA that will allow us to create a center of excellence in the region for research and development. Our vision is to provide an ideal environment for innovative companies to grow and prosper.”