News

Science City boost to Nottingham

To celebrate Nottingham's advances in veterinary medicine, the city will host professionals from the animal medicine/health sector at Nottingham Castle on Tuesday 7th July 2009 from 5pm to 7pm.

Nottingham company, Petscreen, who are based at BioCity Nottingham, one of Europe's largest bio-incubator facilities, are currently researching the development of the first commercially available biomarker diagnostics, treatment and monitoring of lymphoma in dogs.

This leading edge research puts the region in a strong position to become an international centre for comparative veterinary, human biomedical and pharmaceutical industries which has the potential for significant job creation.

After discussions between the President of Bayer Animal Health, Jorge Ohle and the President and Chief Executive of the Kansas City Area Development Council, Bob Marcusse and PetScreen's Chief Executive, Dr Kevin Slater it become clear that Nottingham and the East Midlands had very similar, if smaller, central geographic locations as the Kansa City Animal Health Corridor - whose members account for over $6billion dollars in revenue per year.

PetScreen's key objective was to target the European market, and ensure that the East Midlands had the necessary logistical and other infrastructure to support an ambitious growth programme which could build a secure economic bridgehead into Europe.

Supported by Nottingham City Council, the event on Tuesday 7th July will continue the discussions and make the important opportunity into a reality. President and General Manager of Bayer Corporation's Animal Health Division, Jorge Ohle, will be guest speaker at the event which will be attended by the Lord Mayor of Nottingham, Councillor Jeannie Packer, as well as national and international professionals from the animal medicine/ health and associated sectors.

Job creation in the city and the region is of paramount importance and it is believed that one of the major objectives will be the formation of an international advisory group, comprising key academic and industry stakeholders under the chairmanship of local entrepreneur, Professor Graeme Radcliffe.

Professor Radcliffe is Chairman of PetScreen and is also a keen advocate for enterprise and innovation in the region. He has held various roles with emda and is visiting Professor for Enterprise & Innovation at Loughborough University, one of the regions' leading universities.

"There are significant commercial opportunities for companies in both the diagnostic and pharmaceutical sectors to exploit this rapidly growing sector. The animal health industry offers huge opportunities for both inward investment and organic growth from assets which already exist within the region. Job creation in high growth sectors is good news for everyone" comments Radcliffe.

Mike Carr, East Midlands Development Agency's Executive Director of Business Services adds, "it is great news for the City and the region as a whole, that this kind of initiative is taking place. The East Midlands is renowned for its innovative work in the healthcare and bioscience industry. Animal health is a very important sector in this, with companies such as PetScreen working at the cutting edge of technology that underpins it."

Councillor Alan Clark, of Nottingham City Council is keen to see this initiative as a key component of the new Nottingham Economic Resilience Forum, board, under the Chairmanship of John Peace.

"Britain is known as a nation of animal lovers, and anyone who has cared for a pet understands how they become part of the family - their death can be devastating. The longevity of an animal's life can also be significant with the role of animals in caring for people and the assistance they provide.

"By leading research into animal health Nottingham universities and businesses are not only saving pets, they're boosting our economy. These scientific businesses are boosting our reputation of being a science city and are building up our highly skilled, knowledge intensive industries and helping to ensure we stay on track to become a top ten European city for science and innovation."

The event coincides with Nottingham hosting the first international veterinary bio-maker conference of its kind at BioCity, from Wednesday July 8 until Thursday July 9.

Some of the foremost experts in the world will be travelling to Nottingham from Europe, the United States and the UK to speak at the event, and key sponsors include Pfizer Animal Health, Novartis Animal Health, and Waltham, the leading authority on pet care and nutrition.

Source:nottingham.gov.uk|

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