The BioHub Birmingham is part of a support ecosystem for biomedical companies and is a gateway to the facilities, equipment and support at the University of Birmingham and Birmingham Health Partners.
The BioHub Birmingham opened in 2015 as a £6.8m development designed to house life science companies from proof of concept through to expansion. The original offering of shared laboratory and office space has been augmented by the addition of separate laboratory and office suites for more mature companies.
It is home to a flourishing community of new and small biomedical companies and is located at the Birmingham Research Park, which has conference and meeting facilities, an on-site café, and commercial office space for biomedical and hi-tech companies.
The BioHub Birmingham is co-located with the Institute of Translational Medicine and the clinical-academic partnership provided by Birmingham Health Partners.
Find out more at the BioHub website
What does the Biohub provide?
The fully equipped shared laboratory is run by on-site qualified laboratory managers. Tenants also have access to:
- Additional facilities, equipment and expertise
- Purchasing consortia, regulatory advice
- A medical devices testing pathway
- Meeting rooms, hot-desking and grow-on space
- The BizzInn business incubator (membership required)
We offer bespoke, flexible terms, and access to the shared facilities provided for inclusive monthly rates. Self-contained grow-on space is available on the first floor, and tenancies are offered on a fully commercial basis.
What type of companies choose the BioHub?
Current BioHub licencees include diagnostics, precision medicine and biotechnology companies.
BioHub licencees come from a variety of places: some are spinout companies from the University of Birmingham, and others have relocated to the region to take full advantage of the life sciences expertise that is present in the UK’s second city. There is also a good mix of companies at different stages in their development: some are just starting to raise seed capital or develop their first products, while others are planning their expansion.
Why do companies choose the BioHub?
Licencees often tell us that the BioHub has a ‘verve’ that is difficult to find in commercially run laboratories. We believe this is because of our can-do attitude, and our location within the Edgbaston Medical Quarter.
Our location on the edge of campus provides easy access to the University, the Institute of Translational Medicine and the Queen Elizabeth Hospital. We are well-connected in this local ecosystem, which can provide:
- Facilities such as offices and meeting rooms
- Services such as radioactive material and waste handling, specialist gas supply
- Equipment such as microscopes, spectrophotometers
- Expertise such as microbiology, drug development, laboratory health and safety
Our laboratory managers and Research Park staff ensure that licencees get access to the equipment, supplies and services they need – as well as providing links to organisations such as West Midlands Academic Health Sciences Network, Medilink Midlands and other life science networks.
BioHub licencees can also apply for membership of the BizzInn business incubator, which provides mentoring and training for start-ups and 24/7 hot-desking space.
How to find out more, or book a visit
For more information, a tour of the facilities, or to enquire about space, contact thebiohub@contacts.bham.ac.uk.