Merck facility reborn as science park
pharmafile | January 11, 2012 | News story | Research and Development | BioCity, MSD, Merck, Newhouse, Pfizer, Roslin BioCentre, Scotland
A former Merck research site in Scotland has been given a new lease of life as a biotech science park.
The 23 acre site was closed last year as part of Merck Inc’s global R&D downsizing, but will now be taken over by BioCity Scotland, which aims to attract biotech and pharma start-ups.
The site in Newhouse, Lanarkshire is close to Scotland’s twin bioscience hubs Glasgow and Edinburgh, and comprises 130,000 sq ft of purpose built laboratories and office space.
BioCity Scotland is a joint venture between two existing science park companies, BioCity Nottingham and Roslin BioCentre in Edinburgh.
BioCity Scotland chairman Louis Nisbet, said: “BioCity Scotland is much more than a property proposition – it will be a unique, vibrant community of scientific companies. Just a short drive from Scotland’s two largest cities, it is ideally situated to attract the cream of life science talent.”
The site has already signed up its first two tenants, and hopes to create as many as 500 jobs at the location. A total of 250 jobs were lost after Merck (known as Merck Sharp & Dohme in Europe) announced its closure in July 2010.
Louise Nisbet added: “BioCity Nottingham’s success in nurturing and growing over 70 new companies since 2003, and Roslin’s expertise in life sciences innovation and facilities management makes this team the perfect commercial partnership. The work starts now, the prospects are boundless.”
Chris Hill, MSD vice president and the former head of MSD’s Newhouse facility said: “This is a fantastic outcome for the Life Sciences community in Scotland and the wider UK. We are delighted to have secured such an accomplished investor and a viable and exciting future for the site in such a short period of time.
“The ongoing commercial operation of the site will attract investment to the local area generating employment opportunities for local communities and the success of this development will play a significant role in securing the future of life sciences in Scotland”.
The revival of the site is being mirrored in Sandwich, Kent, where Pfizer is shedding nearly 2,000 jobs, and new biotech and life science firms are being encouraged to set up business.
Brett Wells
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