Last week, members of our team were in the UK Houses of Parliament to showcase PHTA and emphasise its potential to bring high-skilled, well-paid jobs and economic growth to the region.
Steve McCabe MP opened by introducing Birmingham’s heritage as the ‘City of 1,000 Trades’ and highlighting the life sciences sector as key to its future success.
Steve Bates of the BioIndustry Association (BIA) then took over as Chair, opening by praising the Midlands region for the substantial investment it has successfully secured of late, which has been used to build capability and talent in the region – and stressing that more funding is needed in the Midlands to keep this momentum going.
PHTA Chair Jo Pisani then shared insights from her considerable experience in building innovation ecosystems, and the transformational impact that PHTA and Birmingham Health Innovation Campus will have in the city and region.
Bruntwood SciTech‘s Dr Kath Mackay then outlined their strong track record in supporting business growth through its network of science and technology campuses, and how BHIC businesses will benefit from Birmingham’s co-located network of life sciences and clinical facilities.
The medtech perspective was provided by Professor Liam Grover who explained how the support PHTA and BHIC provides will help companies overcome development hurdles. “I’m an ambitious man: with the assets we have, we’re in a position to be the country’s leader in medtech and centre of international excellence.”
Professor Michael Lewis, Scientific Director of Innovation at the NIHR, shared his insights on the life sciences industry in the UK – highlighting that the sector is driven by SMEs creates well paid jobs, and does vitally important work. “We need researchers active in the regions, working on pressing health challenges in those locations. We need capacity of lab space and skilled individuals working in a coordinated way to have true impact. Investing in research and healthcare crosses political divides.”
Our CEO Professor Gino Martini was next up sharing his vision for the campus: “Our Midlands life sciences sector will accelerate medical innovation and access to medicines for patients which will turbocharge the country’s economy – and we are here to create an ecosystem of collaboration that’s open to all.
“Our role is also that of an anchor institution to reduce health inequalities locally. We need high paid jobs for local people and PHTA will provide that – via high-quality, much-needed lab space where companies can grow into bigger spaces in the wider BHIC development.”
Finally Sharon Thompson, JP, Deputy Leader at Birmingham City Council closed by sharing the council’s pride in this exceptional development.
Thanks to all who supported and attended!
