Future Cities Forum at Wellcome Genome Campus, Cambridgeshire, for 'Science Cities' forum in June

Image: aerial view of the Wellcome Genome Campus in Hinxton Cambridgeshire, which is set to more than triple in size, as part of development plans that include new lab space, new housing, amenities and sustainable infrastructure provision (courtesy WGC)

Future Cities Forum will be held at the Wellcome Genome Campus at Hinxton in Cambridgeshire this June for its 'Science Cities' forum with opening presentation to be given by Chief Executive, Robert Evans.

The forum will look at the topics of growing sustainable science campuses in the UK, global competition, and access for all including public visitors and schools.

Robert joined our 'Global Science Cities' forum last September at the Cambridge Science Park, with the Mayor of Heidelberg, Professor. Dr. Eckart Würzner. Both Heidelberg and Hinxton are key sites for Europe's life sciences laboratory, EMBL - the European Molecular Biology Laboratory.

Robert spoke about new models of investment for growth:

'I was in Heidelberg last week talking to BioLab who we are developing a new relationship with and at a conference which had a two-way pitching process between investors and companies, and what I noticed was a really thriving eco system, but still with some of the issues as in the UK, of how difficult it is to start and grow a company.

'You are right to ask about money. We seem to be doing alright here on research and development but after series A fund-raisings the numbers drop off a cliff. Companies are disappearing and following VC money. It seems easier in the US still to start and grow a company and the situation here seems to be getting slightly worse.

'There is a trend towards venture builders where they host companies on their own premises and can share HR, finance functions and back office. That is on the rise and happening in Europe as well. How can we start building a home grown version? Interestingly these venture builders are rooted in 'places' as the magnets of cities like Boston are so strong.

'I think we could do more with Europe to work together, linking all these smaller eco systems. I am not sure what the UK government could do to help, perhaps putting seed money in with other money? Perhaps something around the risk reward equation to make things easier.'

The Wellcome Genome Campus is home to a growing community of world leading institutes, organisations and experts in genomics, biodata, health data and data science, using machine learning and AI to discover new science, and improve lives for everyone. It is world recognised, established and expanding for the future.

It reports:

'Wellcome Trust has established a new Campus management company Wellcome Genome Campus Limited (WGCL) to lead and manage the Campus and deliver world-class services to Campus occupiers, visitors and members of the public. WGCL is also tasked with delivering the future vision, optimising the many science, commercial, cultural and educational opportunities and ensuring access for all.  

'Campus occupiers, notably Wellcome Sanger and EMBL-EBI, have been at the forefront of the scientific open access agenda, discovering the very foundations of and improving our understanding of life; and making it available to everyone.  

'Exciting development plans are in place to grow the Campus into a truly global destination for research organisations, innovative companies and scientific talent – driving cutting-edge science into advances in health and tackling some of humanity’s greatest challenges.

'The overall size of the Campus will grow from 125 acres to 440 acres and the number of scientists and support teams working on it is expected to increase from around 3,000 to between 7,000 and 9,000.

'Our first new buildings on the expansion land, ‘D1’ and ‘D2’ will be available for fit-out from early 2028. The buildings offer 140,000 sq ft net of new workspace, which can be configured and fitted-out for wet and/or dry laboratories, other research and translation, technology or associated uses. Highly sustainable and adaptable, offering a new home for companies of all sizes.

'From early-stage ventures to global leaders, the Campus expansion is designed to support innovation at every scale. The Wellcome Genome Campus has appointed Allies and Morrison to lead the review and evolution of its masterplan, to establish a long-term framework that will guide the development of the world-renowned Campus in Hinxton, Cambridgeshire, as it begins a major expansion. 

'The Campus, already a globally recognised hub for genomics, biodata, health data and data science, is home to occupiers including the Wellcome Sanger Institute and EMBL-EBI with the new Health Data Research Service (HDRS) arriving in 2026.

'The expansion of the Campus will see the site increase in size from 125 acres to 440 acres. Backed by the Wellcome Trust, the first phase alone is one of the largest contemporary investments in the UK’s life sciences infrastructure.  

'New research and translation spaces, new homes, health and fitness, food and drink and community uses, new parks and gardens and sustainable energy infrastructure will be introduced. The masterplan will set out how the existing site and the expansion area, east of the A1301, will seamlessly integrate, operating as one single, cohesive Campus to support collaboration across science, data, technology, and translation into real-world health impact. 

'Allies and Morrison is using their experience with research and innovation districts to shape a clear vision for the future Campus and its future success. The Campus boasts a rich scientific heritage and sits within a remarkable landscape. The masterplan aims to celebrate this existing context, introduce a greater variety of uses and deliver open access for the public. The Campus is evolving from a gated, secure research centre into an open, welcoming place and destination and the masterplan is informing and guiding this process. '

Please join us in Cambridgeshire for this exciting forum.

Image: CGI or proposed development at Wellcome Genome Campus (courtesy WGC)