Life Sciences Sector

Central Technology Belt

The Central Technology Belt links the influential QinetiQ research centre and science park in Malvern, Worcestershire, with Birmingham and Aston Universities, and ultimately with the Rutherford Appleton Laboratory in Oxfordshire.

The region's local authorities have been key players in the establishment of this corridor which it is hoped with help create hi-tech 'clusters' attracting more investment and entrepreneurs keen to exploit the latest research.

Three key themes have been identified as a focus for this corridor - medical technologies, nanotechnology and commercialisation opportunities at QinetiQ. The proposed projects and initiatives in this area have been designed to facilitate:

• The commercialisation process - taking research from a pure academic discipline through to near market application where it can attract venture capital;
  
  
• Development of business base/technology transfer; and
  
  
• The provision of incubation space to meet the demand for spin-out companies and grow-on space for developing businesses.
  

Advantage West Midlands has now acquired 40 acres of land from MG Rover at Longbridge, which will be turned into a technology park. The intention is to build a £5m micro systems centre conducting research and development into engineered products, to be completed by summer 2006.

John Edwards, chief executive of Advantage West Midlands, said: "The Birmingham to Worcester corridor has great potential to attract and develop more high technology, high value-added businesses by virtue of the presence of some of the region's best universities, research institutions and development opportunities. The corridors, which enjoy good quality transport and communication links, are a ground breaking initiative which will help underpin the modernisation and diversification of the West Midlands economy."

Click here to view the article published in Birmingham Update

Key sites on the Central Technology Belt:

• Aston Science Park 22 acre (9 hectare) site adjacent to Aston University providing 300,000 sq. ft of accommodation. From incubator units to state of the art major research and development facilities. Recent announcement of expansion plan that will double its size and lead to the creation of hundreds of jobs.  Click here to view further details.
  
  
• University of Birmingham A world class university with a range of facilities, staff and expertise, providing excellent opportunities for creating high technology research and development projects.
  
  
• Birmingham Super Hospital Plans for a 1,213 bed private financed hospital to replace the Queen Elizabeth and Selly Oak Hospitals. It will be the first new general hospital in Birmingham for over 60 years, and will provide new forms of patient care with diagnostic and treatment areas, wards and support services on one site.
  
  
• Pebble Mill 9 acre (3.5 hectare) site adjacent to the Central Technology Belt, formerly occupied by the BBC. May soon be offering incubation facilities for fast growing biomedical companies.
  
  
• Longbridge Technology Park Work has started on the £15 development, expected to be completed by April 2007. The two buildings comprise a) The Innovation Centre, at 45,000 sq ft will provide accommodation for new or growing technology-based businesses; and b) the second building at 32,000 sq ft is designed to provide
  grow-on space for companies wanting to expand and needing accommodation.
  of 4,000 sq ft or more.
  
  
• MG Rover Redevelopment site, owned by St Modwen, of approximately 400 acres (162 hectares) of surplus land at Longbridge.
  
  
• Birmingham Great Park 250 acre (102 hectare) mixed use development park providing business and leisure uses.
  
  
• QinetiQ Formerly the Defence Evaluation and Research Agency at Malvern, the largest science and technology research organization in Western Europe.

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