Institute welcomes future vision for the Babraham Research Campus

Key points:

• The Babraham Research Campus partners (the Babraham Institute, BBSRC, and Babraham Research Campus Ltd.) have released details of their strategy to develop the Campus into “one of the best places in the world for discovery bioscience research and innovation.”
• Building on the findings of a recent Campus impact assessment, the strategy looks to continue the development of the Campus as a dynamic ecosystem where the Institute’s academic research and that of the Campus’ commercial companies continues to flourish, supported by excellent infrastructure and facilities.
• The Institute’s world-leading discovery research and the state-of-the-art scientific facilities that underpin these were recognised as unique features of the Campus in a recent impact assessment, and ensuring the coherence of the Campus’ academic and commercial research is central to the Campus’ strategic focus.  

Following a strategic review by the Babraham Research Campus partners (the Babraham Institute, BBSRC, and Babraham Research Campus (BRC) Ltd.), the Campus has published its strategy to achieve the vision of developing the Campus into: “one of the best places in the world for discovery bioscience research and innovation; a leading sustainable ecosystem to start, nurture, scale and grow bioscience business”.

Already one of the UK’s leading locations to support world-leading discovery research and early-stage bioscience enterprise, the Campus is a vibrant showcase of the benefits and strengths created by combining world-leading academic research with commercial life science companies. Not only is there a rich exchange of scientific knowledge through networking and knowledge exchange opportunities, plus collaborative funding support, the Institute’s scientific facilities provide state-of-the art capabilities, in some cases unique either within the UK or Europe. 

Professor Wolf Reik, commented: “Put simply, science comes alive on the Babraham Research Campus. Whether you’re looking for specific expertise in a biological mechanism or innovative technology, you’ll find it here. A unique experience of the Campus, but something we take for granted, is that you might well find that connection as part of an informal chat in the restaurant or at seminars as well as through the comprehensive knowledge exchange activities we benefit from.

“The Institute is committed to undertaking innovative life science research and ensuring the use of this knowledge to improve human health. Our active Campus partnerships enable us to do that, so we welcome the Campus’ ambitious plan and look forward to working with BRC and BBSRC as our Campus partners to take the Campus from strength to strength.”  

In addition to the Institute’s research and nine science facilities, the Babraham Research Campus is home to a vibrant collection of over 60 life science companies from early stage start-ups to highly-successful established companies.

Over the last three years, the Institute has undertaken 25 collaborations or consultancies with campus companies and the Institute's scientific facility teams provide services to 76% of the companies on campus. In this video interview recorded with Tim Newton, CEO at Reflection Therapeutics, Tim outlines how access to the Institute's facilities and experts has helped accelerate their research.

To continue to develop the Campus as a recognised leading centre of research and innovation, the Campus plan identified six strategic areas:

1. Deliver research and innovation
2. Develop people and talent
3. Grow Campus capabilities
4. Nurture the ecosystem
5. Seek investment and ensure sustainability
6. Sustain and create new partnerships

A high-level summary of the Campus strategy which expands on each of these six areas can be viewed from the Babraham Research Campus website. In addition, a video sets out the Campus vision and ambitions: Our Campus Strategy - Delivering the Vision. The Babraham Research Campus announcement on the Campus strategy can be viewed from this link: The Babraham Campus sets out its vision and ambition for its future.

Notes to Editors

Press contact
For questions about the Babraham Institute, please contact: Louisa Wood, Communications Manager, Babraham Institute, louisa.wood@babraham.ac.uk

For questions relating to the Babraham Research Campus, please contact:
Sarah Brereton, Director, Limewash             
Tel: +44 (0)7796 583 223                               
Email: sarah@limewash.co.uk          

Image description:
Aerial view of the Babraham Research Campus.

Additional/related resources:
News, 16 June 2020 New report recognises Institute’s pivotal contribution to Babraham Research Campus success
Research feature: Making the most of signalling research: Bringing together the Institute’s researchers with scientists in the 60 companies on the Babraham Research Campus is helping turn innovative ideas into new benefits for human health – fast. Over the past two years, members of the Signalling research programme have transformed a conversation over coffee into a collaboration that could deliver new ways of treating some of the most intractable human cancers.
Webpage: Knowledge exchange and commercialisation at the Babraham Institute
Reflection Therapeutics and innovation on the Babraham Research Campus: Reflection Therapeutics joined the Campus community in 2019 as part of the second cohort of companies to participate in Accelerate@Babraham, the Campus’ 5-month bio-incubator programme for early stage life science ventures.

About the Babraham Institute
The Babraham Institute undertakes world-class life sciences research to generate new knowledge of biological mechanisms underpinning ageing, development and the maintenance of health. Our research focuses on cellular signalling, gene regulation and the impact of epigenetic regulation at different stages of life. By determining how the body reacts to dietary and environmental stimuli and manages microbial and viral interactions, we aim to improve wellbeing and support healthier ageing. The Institute is strategically funded by the Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council (BBSRC), part of UK Research and Innovation, through Institute Strategic Programme Grants and an Institute Core Capability Grant and also receives funding from other UK research councils, charitable foundations, the EU and medical charities.