Newcastle is home to The Biosphere purpose-built commercial laboratories and has a proven track record of helping companies develop and commercialise new medical products and services.
Newcastle is widely credited as a hotbed for driving medical advancements, with major breakthroughs in mitochondrial disease, neuromuscular disease, renal disease and cancer.
The city is home to one of the leading hospital trusts in the UK for clinical research as well as two world-class universities and a diverse ecosystem of international life sciences companies including Accord Healthcare, Iksuda Therapeutics, Jiahua and CellRev.
Newcastle also has a high number of homegrown companies that are now expanding into new markets, including QuantuMDx, AMLo Biosciences, Atelerix and Newcells Biotech.
Across North East England, 8,000 people are employed in the £1.7bn health and life sciences sector.
The ecosystem is supported by extensive infrastructure and industry networks including the North East Innovation Lab, which works to accelerate the advancement of innovative diagnostics, Health Innovation North East, which works to transform patient safety and boost innovation, and the National Institute for Health and Care Research, which has its ‘Innovation Observatory’ in Newcastle.
Newcastle is also recognised as an international centre of excellence in healthy ageing and longevity, boosted by the presence of the UK National Innovation Centre for Ageing (NICA), which is leading on research to extend the healthy lifespan and reduce the impact of ageing societies, alongside VOICE, a global network of citizens who identify unmet needs and opportunities in the field of public health.
Newcastle Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust is key to the provision of healthcare skills and research in the city, employing 14,725 staff and treating 1.72m patients per year. It is one of just three UK Advanced Therapies Treatment Centres and in the top 3 nationally for recruiting patients for clinical trials.
Global breakthroughs in rare disease and cancer.
25% of students are studying life sciences.
Home to UK National Innovation Centre for Ageing.
Newcastle is a top 10 UK university for life science spin outs.
Sub Sectors
Take a look at the health and life sciences clusters driving growth in Newcastle.
Clinical Trials
Newcastle is a major UK hotspot for clinical trials with dedicated facilities and staff that support bench to bedside research, including the Newcastle Joint Research office, which enables the efficient delivery of high-quality experimental medical research.
Healthy Ageing
Newcastle has established itself as one of the world’s foremost centres for research in ageing and longevity, with the UK National Innovation Centre for Ageing working with companies on solutions for extending the healthspan and a dedicated Biomedical Research Centre advancing lab-based medicinal research.
Diagnostics
Newcastle has a strong cluster of diagnostics organisations such as QuantuMDx, AMLo Biosciences, NIHR Newcastle In Vitro Diagnostics and Novopath Lab, which are experts in the development of diagnostic testing and prognostics.
Rare Disease
Newcastle University, together with Newcastle upon Tyne Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust has a long and distinguished history of research and clinical care in rare disease with world renowned expertise in multiple conditions.
Who's here
Infrastructure
Explore the assets local companies are using to power innovation.
The Biosphere
The Biosphere is a high-quality building dedicated to the commercialisation of life science research and development and part of the city’s commitment to supporting innovation and growth within the sector.
UK National Innovation Centre for Ageing
The UK National Innovation Centre for Ageing (NICA) is a world-leading organisation advancing research and commercialisation in the field of healthy ageing and longevity to create a society that is better equipped to meet the opportunities and challenges associated with the ageing population.
North East Innovation Lab
North East Innovation Lab works with clients around the globe to accelerate the advancement of innovative diagnostics, offering a wide range of services to scientifically evaluate and validate new products.
International Centre for Life
International Centre for Life is a pioneering scientific hub fostering interdisciplinary research and innovation in life sciences, biotechnology, and healthcare for global advancements and discoveries.
NIHR Newcastle Biomedical Research Centre
Newcastle BRC brings together world-leading researchers and clinicians to turn new scientific breakthroughs into treatments for patients.
Centre for Process Innovation
CPI focuses on advancing processes and technologies across various industries, collaborating with businesses and research institutions to drive development in manufacturing, healthcare and energy.
North East Futures UTC
North East Futures University Technical College is a specialist educational institution for 14-19 year olds that teaches hands-on, industry-relevant learning experiences in fields such as science, technology and engineering.
Newcastle University
Newcastle University is a Russell Group university with a global reputation for academic excellence and groundbreaking advancements in fields ranging from healthcare and ageing to data and sustainable development.
Northumbria University
Northumbria University is a former Times Higher Education University of the Year that continues to raise the bar on research and innovation in fields such as biotechnology, aerospace, energy systems and creative industries.
Ecosystem players
Latest News
