Wavertree, Liverpool – January 11th, 2023
Yesterday, all of us at BioGrad Laboratories were thrilled to celebrate the grand opening of our cutting-edge biobank facility at Wavertree Technology Park. This milestone marks a significant step forward not only for our team but also for the future of scientific research in the region. Our new biobank promises to establish Wavertree as a key player in the UK’s life sciences sector, enhancing the city’s role as a hub of scientific innovation.
A Landmark Moment for Wavertree and the Liverpool City Region
Yesterday’s opening event was a proud moment for all of us. We were honoured to welcome Liverpool City Region Metro Mayor Steve Rotheram, who officially opened the site and spoke passionately about the role our biobank will play in driving both scientific progress and economic growth.
“I want to harness the strengths and expertise of the countless innovative businesses, like BioGrad, that call our region home, creating well-paid, secure jobs and training opportunities and attracting greater investment into our economy. It’s great to see BioGrad expanding their presence in our region, and I look forward to working with them to help our region reach its full potential.” said Mayor Rotheram during his speech.
The investment of £7.6 million in our biobank is a reflection of BioGrad’s commitment to supporting groundbreaking research. Our biobank will store and manage thousands of biological samples, enabling scientists to drive research that could lead to life-changing medical breakthroughs.
A Vision for the Future
Our CEO, Dr Natalie Kenny, has been the driving force behind the creation of the biobank, and she made it clear why Liverpool was the chosen city for the biobank. “We have always been fiercely proud to be a North West based business. The good will that BioGrad has received from Steve Rotheram, the Local Authority and local residents in response to our Covid work and education and bursaries over the last seven years, as well as the support that the Liverpool China Partnership has given us by bringing international business and students to our city, makes Liverpool our preferred choice of location for continued expansion.”
Dr Kenny highlighted how our facility will act as a cornerstone for future projects, fostering collaboration between local universities, healthcare providers, and pharmaceutical companies. These partnerships will not only enhance our research capabilities but also strengthen Liverpool’s role as a leader in the life sciences sector.
Economic and Scientific Benefits for Wavertree
Our facility will play a vital role in driving economic and scientific growth across the region. The biobank will attract researchers and institutions from all over the UK and beyond, bringing significant investment into the city. The collaborations that will emerge between local businesses, research institutions, and medical professionals will not only fuel scientific discovery but also contribute to the economy in Wavertree and the wider Liverpool area.
For us at BioGrad, one of the most exciting aspects of the biobank is its potential to create high-skilled jobs in biomedical science, data management, and lab operations. We’re proud to know that our facility will generate new employment opportunities, helping to build a brighter future for the people of the Liverpool City Region.
Dr. Kenny touched on this during the opening, saying, “This is more than a storage facility for biological samples. Our incredible new headquarters, represents an exciting new era for BioGrad as we move into stem cell and regenerative medicine research, alongside our continued education operations”
“It also demonstrates our ongoing commitment to the levelling up agenda – providing an open access biobank for the Liverpool City Region and North West, creating new jobs and opportunities in the sector, and in particular, supporting local, female-led businesses.”
Looking Ahead: A Hub of Global Collaboration
While yesterday’s grand opening was a momentous occasion for us, we are already looking ahead to the future. Our goal is to expand the reach and impact of the biobank by forming partnerships not just within the UK but globally.
One of the most promising areas of research we are excited about is personalised medicine. With the resources in our biobank, researchers will be able to explore treatments tailored to individual genetic profiles, potentially leading to breakthroughs that could improve patient outcomes. Another key focus of our research will be on women’s health, an important initiative that Dr Kenny is driving forward with the utmost urgency and dedication.
A Lasting Legacy for Wavertree
The opening of our biobank represents a new chapter for Wavertree, one that will leave a lasting legacy for the city and beyond. This is a facility built for the long term, designed to support the research community for decades to come.
We are proud to be part of this exciting journey and look forward to continuing our work, driving innovation and scientific progress both locally and globally.
More on BioGrad’s Biobank opening:
– Liverpool Business News
– Downtown In Business
– Enterprise Vision Awards
– Biobanking.com
– News Medical Life Sciences
