Life sciences JustAsk

Life

Sci

ence

sLife Sciences

Welcome to Wales. If you’re thinking about where to locate your Life Sciences business, browsing these pages will give you a glimpse of what you can expect of us and of Wales. We’re ready to talk. When you are...

“Our overriding aim is to grow the sector through supporting business growth, encouraging innovation and providing access to finance and expertise.”Welsh Government Minister for Economy, Science and Transport.

Skills3 // World-class research and expertise

Support5 // Government commitment, research and finance – including a dedicated £100m Life Sciences Investment Fund

Speed9 // A devolved nation and a joined-up sector

Space11 // Easy access to low-cost office, incubator and laboratory space

Self13 // A great place to live

Success15 // Meet some world-leading Life Sciences companies already thriving here

2

Stem Cell image courtesy of GE Healthcare.

The Welsh Wound Innovation Centre is a new £4m project building on Wales’ leading expertise in wound prevention and treatment. Through clinical research and knowledge transfer, the centre in south Wales will serve the NHS and a wide range of commercial customers.

Wales punches well above its weight with Life Sciences skills and expertise.

Welsh researchers are leading the world in areas including wound healing, stem cells, neurosciences, e-health, in vitro diagnostics, medical devices and more.

Behind every thriving Life Sciences sector there’s always a strong academic network – collaborating, researching and training a new generation. Our eight universities are home to almost 160,000 students – 12,000 of these in Life Sciences – and take part in all kinds of research and technology projects. They have excellent knowledge transfer and commercialisation capabilities, and offer attractive partnering opportunities for Life Sciences businesses with potential to access considerable European funding.

Swansea University is home to Europe’s first Centre for NanoHealth and the Institute of Life Science. Cardiff University’s School of Biosciences is one of the biggest in

Skil

lsLife Sciences

“Wales boasts some of the most outstanding scientific talent in this area and the challenge is now for entrepreneurs and businesses in Life Sciences to grab the many opportunities out there”Professor Sir Christopher Evans OBE Welsh biotech entrepreneur and Chairman of Arthurian Life Sciences

Swansea University’s Institute of Life Science is a direct result of successful collaboration between the NHS, academia and the sector in Wales.

the UK, and the UK’s largest department in land-based sciences – the Institute of Biological, Environmental and Rural Sciences – is at Aberystwyth University.

And, like scientific progress, we don’t stand still. Sêr Cymru is our £50m initiative to grow research excellence by attracting world-class researchers and their teams to Wales and increase our share of UK and European funding.

And you don’t have to be a multinational to work with our academics. We’re here to help you push back frontiers, whatever size you are today.

4

£1.29m – the business finance provided by Welsh Government to leading US clinical research organisation, PRA, who created 100 new graduate jobs and doubled the size of its office at Swansea’s SA1, Europe’s largest waterfront development.

Sup

po

rtLife Sciences

Let’s be clear: the Welsh Government’s stated aim is to confirm Wales as a world-leading location for Life Sciences companies.

And that means both financial and operational support for the sector.

Life Scientists agree: the future hinges on financial backing. The best products will struggle out of the starting blocks unless they are supported from conception to test and beyond. So we’ve upped the stakes even higher in Wales with:

The Life Sciences Investment Fund A £100m dedicated equity fund for Life Sciences companies in Wales, with 50/50 co-investment on every deal. The highly experienced Arthurian Life Sciences team works with incoming businesses to Wales from start-ups to mature businesses.

Wales offers the highest level of financial support and grants in the UK, with quick decisions and approvals – plus a dedicated Life Sciences Investment Fund…

The Life Sciences Investment Fund is managed by Arthurian Life Sciences, whose team includes a number of successful life sciences entrepreneurs and professionals, expert in forming commercial partnerships and developing new products. Its high profile and experienced international Board includes Prof Sir Christopher Evans, Lord Hutton, Sir John Banham, Jeremy Curnock Cook and Prof Trevor Jones.

SMARTCymru £28m to support businesses researching technical innovation.

Academic Expertise for Business (A4B) £55m to accelerate knowledge and skills transfer between academic institutions and business.

6

We can offer funding support for:

• Venture Capital projects• Business Development• Capital Investment• Research & Development• Training & Skills development• International trade visits• Access to global trading events

Life Sciences

We have seven designated Enterprise Zones across the country – and Deeside in north Wales and Ebbw Vale in the south are both manufacturing Enterprise Zones, and include a number of Life Sciences-related companies, where you’re likely to find customers and suppliers quite literally on your doorstep.

And locating here could offer even more support, in the shape of our Enterprise Zone Business Rate Scheme.

Life Sciences companies based in Wales can also access the UK Patent Box, which provides significant tax breaks for companies who develop innovative patented products and commercialise patents here.

Also, the UK’s innovation agency – the Technology Strategy Board – offers support and funding to help companies develop new products and services and bring them closer to market.

Our priority is to invest public money in providing the best possible conditions for your business to operate and succeed. And then to keep supporting you as you grow.

Sup

po

rt

But we know it’s not just about money.

We’re here as a long-term partner - not just a funding source. Our business development team will always listen to your needs and use a number of levers to support your business growth.

Funding is only about creating opportunities. We know that. So our tailored support is all about opening doors, whether that is through our subsidised international trade activities, providing new product development advice or helping with research on overseas markets.

8

A focal point for all we’re doing in Wales, the Life Sciences Hub at Assembly Square in Cardiff Bay will offer the sector here unparalleled access to the latest expertise, opportunities and investments.

The Life Sciences Hub, Assembly Square, Cardiff Bay.

With fresh ideas and discoveries constantly pushing the boundaries, the Life Sciences sector needs fast and flexible support. Which is why it is so vibrant here in Wales.

Because we’re a devolved nation, we can get things moving quickly and seamlessly, with minimum bureaucracy and maximum flexibility.

And, because we’re a small and joined-up country, the sector operates as a dynamic ecosystem: private companies, Government, the NHS and academics pull together here, which means the sector can – and does – make things happen. Fast.

Take our Life Sciences Sector Panel, which brings private companies, Government and academia together so all are alive to opportunities for growth and success.

Add to this the development of the Welsh Life Sciences Hub: based in Cardiff, it’s a Government-backed central resource for the whole of the sector in Wales, connecting commercial, academic, clinical and funding organisations.

And take clinical trials. Health Research Wales is our unique, go-to body which supports the set-up and management of clinical trial studies in Wales, which will give your project a foundation, linking you to experts, facilities, financial resources and possible markets. Our independent, devolved National Health Service allows you access to anonymised healthcare data for the whole population in one database. So, clinical trials here can access three million people with a single, co-ordinated permissions process.

When you move here, you’ll be able to work fast too, because Wales is at the forefront of ICT development.

Welsh Government is delivering Next Generation Broadband to 96% of all homes and businesses here by 2016. And we’re home to Europe’s largest Tier 3 Data Centre, run by Next Generation Data and geared up to house hardware, software and fast data connections - supporting your whole web family, including intranets, extranets and e-commerce platforms.

Spee

dLife Sciences

We make quick investment decisions: give us all the information we need, and you’ll have an answer within 30 days if you’re looking for under £1m, and within 40 days if you’re looking for more than that.

10

The Institute of Life Sciences (ILS I and II), Swansea: ILS I is a state-of-the-art building, housing specialists in medical research, business incubation and technology transfer, strategically located between the College of Medicine and Singleton Hospital. ILS II provides a further 6,000 sq m including an extended range of fully operational business incubation units, a clinical research facility, an imaging suite, the Centre for Health Information, Research and Evaluation (CHIRAL) and the Centre for NanoHealth.

The Institute of Life Sciences, Swansea.

MediCentre, Cardiff is a business incubator for biotech and medtech start-ups, comprising serviced offices, desks and laboratories based in the grounds of the University Hospital of Wales and a stone’s throw from Cardiff University’s School of Medicine.

Spac

eLife Sciences

No-one delivers the right property and location for your business like Wales.

With an exceptional variety of options – from starter industrial units and R&D incubators to serviced offices; from international headquarters to urban renewal projects – property is highly cost-competitive, with office space in our capital city, Cardiff, costing some 40% less than London*.

So we help keep your overheads low with a range of affordable commercial and industrial premises in a choice of locations – and we make sure you’re well-connected, with superfast broadband.

Located just 2 hours west of London, with rail, air and sea links to the UK and mainland Europe, Wales offers excellent access to markets.

AirCardiff is served by its own international airport with regular, direct UK and other European flights. Manchester, Birmingham, Liverpool and Bristol airports are all within 1 hours drive from Wales, while London Heathrow can be reached within 2 hours.

RailHigh speed trains link Wales with most UK cities, with just 2 hours’ journey time from Cardiff to London, and 3 hours from Wrexham to London.

RoadLinks to the other main UK cities are fast, with Cardiff to central London taking just over 2.5 hours and Wrexham to Liverpool and Manchester taking only around 1 hour.

* source: BNP Paribas Real Estate January 2012 12

Our 1,400 km of continuous coastal path is the only one in the world to outline a country’s entire coast.

Barafundle Bay, Pembrokeshire.

SelfLife Sciences

No-one and nowhere delivers lifestyle like Wales.

Whether renting or buying, Wales has some of the most competitive house prices in the UK. We offer some of the finest educational programmes in the UK: our eight quality universities and 16 further education colleges accommodate almost 360,000 students every year*.

Our unique geography has created some of the most incredible, walkable landscapes in the world, from mountains to coast via ancient woodland, lakes and rivers – and over 4,000 sq km of National Park. No wonder dolphins, porpoises, puffins and red kites all call Wales home.

Stunning beaches pepper our award-winning 1,400 km Wales Coast Path – the only one in the world to outline a country’s entire coast. Add in the 285 km Offa’s Dyke pathway which trails our land border with England and you can complete the circuit.

Our capital city is one of the UK’s top ten retail locations**, while Cardiff Bay’s stylish bars and restaurants make it a vibrant leisure destination.

Wales hosts some of Europe’s most respected music, literature and food festivals – Brecon Jazz and the Hay Festival being particularly well-known. From our national rugby team to Premiership football, world-class sports are on your doorstep – plus nearly 180 golf courses!

From wildlife to social life, from arts to sports, from landscape to seascape, Wales delivers what you want out of life.

* source: The Complete University Guide 2013 and Colleges Wales** source: Going Shopping 2013 – the Definitive Guide to Shopping Centres by Trevor Wood Associates

14

WALES

Edinburgh

Manchester

Bristol LondonAmsterdam

IRELAND

UKWALES

Brussels

Paris

Rome

Prague

Madrid

Lisbon

Berlin

Copenhagen

Dublin

Cardi�

23 4 6

5

87

1 8

9

Some reasons why Life Sciences companies have moved to Wales:

• World class research• Skilled workforce• Joined-up sector• Access to the National Health Service• Peer networks• Financial support• Committed, accessible Government• Good tax environment• Low overheads

“What’s happening here in Wales is comparable to many biotech hubs around the world, with a concentration of expertise and R&D excellence.”Dr Stephen Minger – Chief Scientist, Research and Applied Markets at Life Sciences, GE Healthcare.

Key Life Sciences company locations in Wales

Succ

essLife Sciences

Around 300 Life Sciences companies have already chosen Wales. Big names have set up base camp, research labs or operations, backed by a Government determined to make Wales a world-leading location for Life Sciences. Here is how we have supported some of our biggest residents…

1. Siemens Healthcare Diagnostics (Llanberis)Manufacture and distribution of diagnostic reagents

When the company relocated the majority of its manufacturing and distribution operations from Los Angeles to Llanberis, Welsh Government worked with the Siemens team to support the training and development of its workforce, now at 450 employees.

2. Biomet UK (Bridgend)Design and manufacture of orthopaedic implants and accessories

When Biomet expanded its Bridgend operation Welsh Government provided investment support for the expanded manufacturing operation and also support for the training for employees, which now stand at over 600.

3. Ortho Clinical Diagnostics (OCD) (Bridgend) Medical test kits manufacturer

A Johnson & Johnson company, OCD has 350 employees at its Bridgend facility, which was established with grant support from the Welsh Government.

4. Biotec Services International (Bridgend) Pharmaceuticals storage and distribution

When Biotec went international, dynamic growth followed. We helped the company capitalise on the international opportunity, recruit and upskill staff. Read more on page 17...

5. Norgine Ltd (Hengoed)Pharmaceuticals manufacture, distribution and development

The Welsh Government supported the company’s £8m expansion at Hengoed, which has seen staff numbers rise to 340.

6. GE Healthcare Life Sciences (Cardiff)

GE Healthcare has its Cell Technology Centre of Excellence, forensics R&D laboratories and world-class devices manufacturing based in South Wales, with a 430-strong workforce. The company chose to locate here because of the strong emphasis placed on life sciences by the Welsh Government and partnership opportunities with academia, the wealth of science and manufacturing talent available locally and the easy access to a beautiful part of the country.

7. Penn Pharma (Tredegar)Pharmaceuticals manufacture and distribution

The Welsh Government supported Penn to set up at Tredegar some 33 years ago. Recent expansion has also received similar Welsh Government support. Read more on page 19...

8. Convatec (Rhymney and Deeside)Manufacturer of stomacare, wound therapeutics and skin care products

With 600 staff across two Welsh sites, Convatec worked closely with the Welsh Government as it expanded in 2007 and received support for management and staff training initiatives.

9. Ipsen (Wrexham)Pharmaceuticals

The UK subsidiary of this global pharma company was supported by the Welsh Government in opening its new advanced manufacturing site in north Wales, which employs 270 people.

16

Bridgend-based Biotec Services International specialises in temperature-controlled storage and distribution of drug supplies for clinical trials, with customers ranging from tiny drug discovery companies to household-name multi-nationals.

Through its high-tech Welsh headquarters and network of 24 depots across five continents, Biotec co-ordinates the distribution and collection of thousands of carefully marked and coded samples used by hospitals and other medical centres to trial new drugs. Through funding, practical support with space and skills, export assistance and international contacts, Welsh Government has supported the company’s growth and helped it take its services to the world.

And it works both ways. Along the way, Biotec has become a major player in the strategy to further expand Wales’ vibrant Biosciences sector.

With rocketing demand for its specialist services, the company needed a new HQ, then to double capacity.

The move to a new flagship HQ in 2008 was enabled by the exemplary Welsh Government Regional Selective Assistance. And in 2012, a loan from public sector bank, Finance Wales, and an SME Investment Fund grant grew the HQ to double capacity to meet exceptional demand.

When Biotec went international, dynamic growth followed. Turnover grew from £600,000 in 2005 to £9m in 2011 and staff numbers rose from 9 to 60. Today, more than 85% of Biotec’s business comes from overseas.

Biotec has worked hand-in-glove with Welsh Government on the international opportunity. Our overseas trade missions and specialist consultant reports on target foreign markets have contributed to its rapid growth, helping break into the valuable Israeli market and Asia Pacific region as well as North America. And our representatives in key parts of the world continue to help the company make valuable contacts.

“We benefited hugely from Welsh Government trade missions and from support to participate in international industry conferences. They worked extremely well for us.”Keren Winmill, CEO

Biotec employs highly skilled staff, 40% of whom are graduates, and has had to grow its workforce fast.

The company has worked with Welsh Government and Welsh universities to develop its employees’ project management, leadership and supervisory skills. It has engaged five staff through the Government’s Jobs Growth Wales scheme, which provides a wage subsidy for six months, and appointed a graduate project manager through the university-backed GO Wales scheme.

Biotec Services International

17

GE Healthcare

GE Healthcare, a £10bn unit of General Electric, has its Life Sciences International Centre of Excellence for Consumables in south Wales, with a 430-strong workforce providing medical technologies and services used around the world.

Its Cardiff location is also now the company’s chosen international centre for groundbreaking work in stem cell technologies for new drug discovery.

The Consumables business, managed from Cardiff, also includes operations based in Kent, Germany and China. GE Healthcare has further strengthened its Cardiff facility through growth and with the relocation of some production from Oxfordshire and the US, plus some employees relocating from overseas.

One location had to be selected as GE Healthcare’s global Consumables Centre of Excellence – and several factors led to that being Wales, with skills having the deciding vote.

“Our site offers room to grow and easy access across the UK and beyond. Property and employment costs are highly competitive and we have found it easy to deal with the authorities and to build strong community links.

“Critical to our decision-making, however, has been access to the right skills and to new talent coming in to the industry. To support our growth we need to draw on scientific, sales and production expertise, and with thousands of students graduating from universities in Wales each year, recruitment is eased.

“Once people join us they tend to stay, with many members of our team now having 10, 15 or 20 plus years with the company. That level of continuity is a real asset to the business.”Richard Dool, General Manager, Consumables.

18

Penn Pharma is a powerhouse of the pharmaceutical industry. Based at specialist facilities in Tredegar in the south Wales valleys, it forms drugs into tablets and capsules, creams and ointments for both commercial markets and clinical trials.

Its 300-strong workforce also includes highly specialist technical teams who carry out development work on many of these drugs. With its 150 global customers and their 200 different product ranges – including many household names – it has won two prestigious Queen’s Awards for International Trade.

Today, it employs 300 skilled staff and its annual turnover is £30m, which is on track to double in the next four years.

Penn’s growth has been supported by Welsh Government and universities, in terms of finance and skills development.

Started in Buckinghamshire in 1979, Penn moved to Wales seven years later where its steady pattern of growth began, requiring considerable expansion of facilities and premises.

Having received financial support from Welsh Government to set up in Tredegar, Penn received similar support to subsequently expand that base as well as set up a logistics facility in nearby Oakdale.

Penn Pharma

2013 has seen its single biggest expansion yet – a new 1,400 sq m facility, designed to meet fast-growing demand from drug companies for contract manufacturing and packaging services, and additional R&D space. The efficiency of the planning process meant that a building announced in February 2012 was largely complete and ready for fitting out six months later. Support came from our Single Investment Fund.

“We’ve had excellent support from the Welsh Government in terms of funding for the new facility, and the local authority has helped us in a myriad of ways,” said Richard Yarwood, Chief Executive.

He explained that Government backing “made the whole thing possible and helped us consolidate and grow our position in an expanding market.”

19

Penn is particularly committed to developing its highly skilled workforce, almost half of whom are qualified pharmacists, chemists or engineers, as well as many who have high-level skills in quality assurance, project management and logistics.

Many of these have been recruited from Welsh universities, particularly the science faculties of the Universities of South Wales and Swansea.

And support from the Welsh Government has enabled Penn to drive forward its learning agenda.

“We have had terrific support, on and off site, for training our people to a very high level. That’s really important because we are in a regulated industry where you cannot afford to make any mistakes.”Richard Yarwood, CEO

With an international customer base and a strong research agenda, the right location is critical for Penn.

The firm finds its Heads of the Valleys location beneficial for accessing a range of airports to connect with its overseas customers.

It’s also within easy reach of a number of other Wales-based Life Sciences companies with whom it collaborates on product development.

20

What next?

We get things moving in Wales. As you’ll see for yourself, just as soon as you get in touch.

Straight away we’ll team you up with a dedicated Business Development professional.

Quickly, they’ll get to know you, talk through your business needs and support requirements, and become your ‘person on-the-ground’ while you weigh up your options. They’ll connect you with decision-makers, and get a quick response with flexible funding and support options.

Find out what Wales can do for your business JustAsk.Wales.com +44 (0) 3000 6 03000

Then they’ll help you choose new premises and settle into Wales.In the months to come, we’ll still be there with the support you require – from helping you develop your staff to helping you make new business connections.

So let’s talk.

Life sciences JustAsk

Business

Transcript of Life sciences JustAsk