London, United Kingdom (CU)_ The IBioIC, based in Glasgow, is a networking and support organization dedicated to uniting business, academia, and government in order to advance biotechnology. Industrial biotechnology (IB) can play a major role as the world looks for more sustainable ways to address climate change. At the heart of net zero objectives is the provision of environmentally friendly alternatives to fossil fuels, whether for electricity, health, or food.
The industrial biotechnology center (IBioIC) of Scotland has opened its first science and innovation park. The acquisition of Discovery Park, headquartered in Sandwich, Kent, is intended to further solidify the center’s mission to be a beacon of excellence in its sector. It comes as the English corporation aims to fulfill its promise to coordinate with the developing industrial biotechnology (IB) community in the United Kingdom.
Discovery Park is home to 160 businesses, including anchor tenant Pfizer, who partnered with BioNTech to develop one of the leading Covid-19 vaccines on the market. While collaborating with local academics to expand knowledge, the Kent location has also attracted a growing cluster of industrial biotechnology firms. GrowUp, a vertical farming firm that uses 95 percent less water compared to standard growing methods and is investing £100 million at Discovery Park, is the newest addition.
Jane Kennedy, Chief Business Officer at Discovery Park, expressed confidence in the acquisition. He said, “The Industrial Biotechnology Innovation Center has undoubtedly done a fantastic job of catalyzing the growth of the sector in Scotland. The membership will also help us to become the center of excellence in the South East for industrial biotechnology, aiming to deliver thousands of new jobs and economic growth for the region”. He added, “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. We look forward to collaborating with the team at IBioIC.”
Mark Bustard, CEO of iBioIC, expressed optimism over the new facility. He said, “The innovation center 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”. He added, “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.”
