Taking Bioscience into the new millennium by David Best

Introduction | Key to Success | Progress

The highlight of this year occurred on 2nd February when HRH the Duke of Edinburgh, Chancellor of Cambridge University, laid the foundation stone. Prince Philip was accompanied by Professor Sir Alec Broers, Vice Chancellor, and 75 senior members of the business and finance community.

Progress since then has been rapid and the Centre will be completed in November, on time and within budget. Although the original business plan anticipated 25% occupation on opening, 80% is now under offer and a queue is developing.

The BIC business will achieve an early income from rent and from mentoring fees. Some of the latter may be commuted to equity, giving BIC a stake in a growing portfolio of hand-picked, carefully managed biotechnology businesses.

The rapid progress of BIC has not gone unnoticed. Universities throughout the UK and Europe and from as far as Singapore, China, Korea and Japan have all come to see this phenomenon and to seek advice in creating something similar. Business incubation is at the take-off stage, and Cambridge is delighted to be housing the first!

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