The move will see more than 50 researchers working in animal and human infectious disease occupy more than 8,000 sq ft of laboratories and offices in LSP’s ic2 facility on Brownlow Hill.
The refurbishment project to accommodate the staff is expected to be completed in July.
Liverpool Science Park chief executive, Chris Musson, said: “Securing this commercial letting is an important milestone for Liverpool Science Park, as the co-location of university R&D facilities on science parks reflects global best practice. As the universities’ science park, we would hope in the future to secure further world leading R&D facilities on site to help drive forward the city’s knowledge economy.”
The University of Liverpool's Institute of Infection and Global Health is an international centre of excellence dedicated to improving the health and well-being of humans and animals.
“The Institute brings together scientists, vets and medics and places Liverpool at the forefront of the 'one health' agenda” said Professor Jonathan Wastling, Head of the Institute’s Department of Infection Biology which is moving to LSP. “The quality of the space and facilties in LSP provide a superb environment for the type of interdiscplinary work that is essential for success in today’s increasingly competetive scientific environment.”
“The Science Park’s proximity to and connections with commercial science and knowledge-based entities both at the park itself and the neighbouring universities, increase the opportunity for crossover work.”
Sir Howard Newby, Vice-Chancellor of the University of Liverpool and Chair of the Liverpool Science Park Board, said: “Both Liverpool Science Park and the University play key roles in Liverpool’s commercial knowledge economy and this new partnership takes us a step closer to achieving the long term plan to make this area of the city recognised for its expertise and knowledge in the life science and technology arena.”
2012 also sees construction begin on LSP’s £8m ic3 building, which will deliver 42,000 sq ft of R&D offices and Containment Level Two laboratories.
For more information about Liverpool Science Park visit www.liverpoolsciencepark.co.uk
About Liverpool Science Park
• Liverpool Science Park (LSP) was created as a Special Purpose Vehicle in 2002 by four key partners, Liverpool City Council (LCC),Liverpool John Moores University (LJMU), the University of Liverpool (UoL) and the North West Development Agency(NWDA).
• LSP is a not for profit company limited by guarantee, with LCC, LJMU and UoL as its three shareholders.
• The further growth of LSP and its supporting infrastructure has the potential to be the catalyst for the continued delivery of commercial success and economic growth, co-ordinated with other projects in Liverpool, through the provision of specialist accommodation as well as support for companies from start up to flotation.
• LSP will focus particularly on those areas of the market, which will benefit from LSP's community of likeminded knowledge based companies, and this includes graduate startups, university spin outs and companies requiring laboratory space.
• The LSP Board has set itself the goal of being a major national science park with international aspirations. To achieve this, it has recognised that it will need to create a science park with more than 500,000 sq ft of fit for purpose accommodation.
LSP intends to provide an environment, which allows even the youngest of companies to benefit from its totally flexible offer:
• Easy in/easy out policy - support ranging from the provision of a postal address through to 5,000 sq ft of office space over virtually any period of time, 24/7 access and with the provision of state of the art IT capabilities.
• Gateway policy - ensures that only those companies engaged in the knowledge economy are able to be tenants. This is to ensure that similar companies have the opportunity to mix together and to create a community of like-minded companies.
• Outside business - investors who are new to the region, or to the country, are able to dip their toe in the market to see how well the city region's business and knowledge resources match their business offer. The LSP offer could also appeal to more established companies from outside the area which might be looking to establish a presence in the city region or to act as a listening post to allow them to stay close to Liverpool developments.
• Laboratory space - to support the key elements of the city's knowledge economy is a key part of Phase 1 and the creation of 5,000 sq ft of laboratory space in ic2 goes some way to meeting identified demand. Additionally, ic3 will provide both biology and chemistry laboratories for this purpose.
For more information about the park and its facilities visit www.liverpoolsciencepark.co.uk or call 0151 705 3400.
Liverpool Knowledge Quarter
Liverpool Science Park is part of Liverpool Knowledge Quarter, a dynamic hub of world-class knowledge and expertise at the heart of the city region’s economic transformation.
The Quarter is the focus of investment programmes worth £1 billion and combines cutting edge technology firms with globally renowned research institutions. It is home to Liverpool’s three universities, the Royal Liverpool University Hospital, Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine, Liverpool Science Park, Merseybio and the National Oceanography Centre -amongst others.
About the University of Liverpool
The University of Liverpool is one of the UK’s leading research institutions with an annual turnover of £410 million, including £150 million for research. Liverpool is ranked in the top 1% of higher education institutions worldwide and is a member of the Russell Group. Visit www.liv.ac.uk
About the University’s Institute of Infection and Global Health
The University’s Institute of Infection and Global Health is an international centre of excellence dedicated to improving the health and well-being of humans and animals. It brings together doctors, vets and basic scientists to put Liverpool at the forefront of the 'one health' agenda. Visit www. www.liv.ac.uk/infection-and-global-health
