Investment schemes in Cheshire and Warrington are to benefit from a £15.5m boost from the government’s new Getting Building Fund.
A new Validation Centre of Excellence at Alderley Park is one of the projects that has been given the green light.
Cheshire East worked with Cheshire and Warrington Local Enterprise Partnership to identify ‘shovel-ready’ infrastructure projects that will support the area’s recovery from the economic damage wreaked by the coronavirus pandemic.
The Alderley Edge development will be a centre for cutting edge research in innovative diagnostics, biomarkers and complex medicines.
Craig Browne, deputy leader of Cheshire East Council, said: “The council is committed to supporting scientific research and innovation in Cheshire East, home to cutting-edge life science facilities that are internationally acclaimed for their highly skilled workforce.
“This investment recognises the significance of these leading projects and the fundamental role that Cheshire East can play in fighting life changing and life-threatening infections, including Covid-19.”
Dr Kath Mackay, managing director of Bruntwood SciTech - Alderley Park, said: “It’s brilliant that Alderley Park has been recognised by the government for its world-leading facilities and scientific capabilities.
“This additional investment will help us to continue building our life science cluster at the park and will enable us to play a key role in stimulating economic growth within the region and UK.”
Professor Peter Simpson, chief scientific officer at Medicines Discovery Catapult, added: “I am delighted with this funding, that will enable us to extend the state-of-the-art lab capabilities, which we already offer to companies and innovators in this region.
“The Validation Centre will enable translational research for new therapeutics and diagnostics that will improve the UK's response to major health challenges. This will become a fantastic new life science asset in Cheshire East.”
The new centre will also help develop the UK’s onshore diagnostic capability and capacity and the associated supply chain.
The project incorporates the creation of specialist laboratories, including a Category 3 biosafety facility for testing new diagnostics, biomarkers and therapeutics for highly infectious pathogens, including respiratory viruses such as Covid-19.