Discovery – a science park in Sandwich, Kent – has joined Scotland’s Industrial Biotechnology Innovation Centre (IBioIC).

As well as Pfizer, the the park boasts more than 160 tenants, becoming the first site of its kind to join the IBioIC. The move comes in the hope that companies like Pfizer can better engage with the wider (and growing) biotechnology sector.

The IBioIC plays its part by engendering and supporting innovation and subsequent commercialisation of biotech products by connecting and creating networks between industry, academia and government.

Mark Bustard, chief executive of IBioIC, said: “The innovation centre plays an important role in supporting the growth of the UK’s bioeconomy, connecting industry partners with world-leading research teams to explore alternative bio-based materials and processes across a range of sectors.

“So far, we have supported more than 200 companies to bring new products to the global market and connecting with industrial biotechnology research and science hubs such as the Discovery Park will no doubt unlock further opportunities.

“Almost £30 million of additional industry investment has been generated as a direct result of IBioIC innovation activities to date, contributing to more than 3,000 high-value green jobs,” he added.

Kent’s Discovery Park has long been home to innovation within the pharmaceutical manufacturing space, with Pfizer being a resident for almost 70 years.

Jane Kennedy, chief business officer at Discovery Park, said: “The Industrial Biotechnology Innovation Centre has undoubtedly done a fantastic job of catalysing the growth of the sector in Scotland.

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“It is clear to me that joining the IBioIC offers Discovery Park opportunities to collaborate and make connections between my tenant companies in Kent with the fast growing network in Scotland. We hope to bring together companies that can learn from each other how to turn great ideas into great businesses.

“The membership will also help us to become the centre of excellence in the south east for industrial biotechnology, aiming to deliver thousands of new jobs and economic growth for the region. It will in turn give IBioIC the opportunity to work with new companies active in biotechnology and help grow its ecosystem and encourage further investment in the sector.”

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