Plans have been revealed for a new medical technology hub outside Nottingham.
The £8 million facility proposed for Boots’ Enterprise Zone in Beeston will help bring revolutionary medical technologies to market.
If approved by Broxtowe Borough Council, the hub will form part of Nottingham Trent University’s dual-site Medical Technologies Innovation Facility and operate in conjunction with its already-approved £15m research and development centre at its Clifton campus.
Work on the centre – which would include laboratory space, clean rooms, technology and expertise for processing and prototype development and manufacturing preparation facilities – could begin this summer and take around a year to complete.
“We want to help accelerate new product development for med-tech companies by providing them access to world-class facilities and expertise,” said Professor Mark Biggs, head of the college of science and technology at Nottingham Trent University.
“This project will be a catalyst for helping to drive innovation and new discovery.”
Mark Chivers, director of the Nottingham Enterprise Zone at Boots UK, said: “The vision for the Nottingham Enterprise Zone is to create a UK centre in health, beauty and wellbeing in Nottingham.
“We are supporting this initiative to create a vibrant business site that will improve the local economy and allow a number of start-ups and small and medium enterprises to develop and grow.
“Our work to create the Nottingham Enterprise Zone is part of our ongoing commitment to innovation and being an incubator for young businesses in the East Midlands.
“We are delighted that Nottingham Trent University has submitted plans for its dual-site Medical Technologies Innovation Facility, based in the Nottingham Enterprise Zone.
“The company is a perfect fit for our vision for the site and we look forward to supporting them going forward.”
Nottingham Trent University vice-chancellor Professor Edward Peck added: “Medical technology is one the real strengths of the local economy, one of the real strengths of Nottingham Trent University and a major priority for the Midlands Engine, so this is both a timely and exciting development.”
The MTIF aims to improve patient care quality by speeding up medical product development and getting innovations to market as quickly as possible.
The overall MTIF project – being supported with £9.7m from the D2N2 Local Enterprise Partnership, through the Local Growth Fund – will also form alliances with a range of organisations to ensure effective support to companies and researchers.
Sajeeda Rose, chief executive of the D2N2 Local Enterprise Partnership, said: “D2N2 are pleased to see that Nottingham Trent University have submitted plans for their proposed MTIF facility on the Boots Enterprise Zone.
“The project is a great example of one of our universities working with the private sector to develop a new facility for our life sciences sector to improve its productivity through R&D and innovation. We hope to invest £9.7m in this facility subject to a final business case approval.”
Scott Knowles, Chief Executive of the East Midlands Chamber, added: “The Chamber is pleased to see the Enterprise Zone starting to take shape.
“These developments complement Boots’ commitment towards creating localised employment opportunities, as well as enhancing the area’s investment profile.”