Liverpool city region science and innovation campus also gained approval for the next phase of Project Violet which will comprise 43,000 sq ft of grade A accommodation. Tony McDonough reports
Liverpool city region science and innovation campus Sci-Tech Daresbury secured 26 new tenants in 2018 and is now home to more than 140 businesses.
One of the companies to locate to the facility in 2018 was North West medtech company C-Major Medical. The company relocated its operations to the campus’ Sci-Tech Innovation Centre in January 2018 and has enjoyed significant growth during that period.
It has secured a trio of patents for its innovative syringe technology in Japan, Taiwan and Europe and has cited its new location as having a huge impact on its growth.
Over the last 12 months, it has received almost £200,000 of funding to develop its novel syringe solution. This included £100,000 Investment Accelerator Grant Award from Innovative UK and a further £45,000 convertible loan from UKI2S (previously the Rainbow Seed Fund).
Other highlights in the last year for Sci-Tech Daresbury include the approval for the next phase of Project Violet. The scheme was granted planning permission by Halton Council in early 2018 and the campus has since started a tender process for a selection of a contractor to build the new 43,000 sq ft grade A complex.
John Downes, group chief executive of Langtree and chair of the Sci-Tech Daresbury joint venture company, said: “Collaboration is key and we continue to promote innovation between our tenants, from local SMEs to international businesses, academic institutions and the public sector.
“C-Major Medical’s arrival and subsequent success over the last 12 months is a fantastic example of a North-West company leading the way in developing the next generation of novel technology for the medtech sector, here at Sci-Tech Daresbury.
“We’re now looking forward to another busy year of growth ahead with a number of companies already moving onto the site in January and it’s our ambition that the campus will continue to develop and attract even more companies in 2019.”