Stevenage 'Science Cities' report part two

Above: the second panel discussion at the Stevenage Bioscience Catalyst (SBC) - with from left Ed Hayden, Director at Scott Brownrigg, Emily Slupek, Project Director at Savills, Oli Smith, Director and Head of Leasing at the SBC, Ellie Junod, Associate Director, UBS Asset Management, Dave Michalovich, Vice President Translational Research, GSK, and Professor Daniel McCluskey, Dean of Physics at the University of Hertfordshire

Future Cities Forum has been speaking to Oliver King, Director and Head of Leasing at the Stevenage Bioscience Catalyst (SBC) about the current health of the UK life sciences market, and whether the sector was being impacted by current international tariff wars. This interview follows our 'Science Cities' discussion event hosted at the. SBC earlier this year.

He responded:

'Sometimes the macro is used as excuse for failures at the micro level.. However demand in the UK life sciences sector has been at sustainable level for some time now. It's not about demand, it's about supply. What has happened in the last five years is saturation of demand. There is a lot more competition out there (in terms of available space for businesses). SBC has to put itself on the front foot. In 2012 SBC as an incubator was the only show in town. But with modernity it is 'adapt or die'. It became antiquated as competition has more green spaces and amenities for companies and their employees. However we recently have created the 'corner room' - set up as a relaxing space with pool table and informal sitting areas, and it's about making an environment that is inclusive and collaborative. All the other science parks are trying to make campuses more collaborative.

Stevenage Bioscience Catalyst was formed through a collaboration between the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy (BEIS), GlaxoSmithKline, Wellcome and Innovate UK. This has created a globally recognised cluster for therapeutic research and development that provides support for translation and commercialisation of innovative new medicines.

Following the first panel discussion from Future Cities Forum's Stevenage event on infrastructure and town centre investment, the second panel at the SBC addressed the issue of whether the UK government is supporting innovation in science and technology with appropriate funding, and whether this key sector can help to lift the economy in 2025. There was also debate around how to encourage science companies to re-locate to UK cities and towns against global competition.

Joining the panel on ‘Creating sustainable places for world class R&D’ were:

Oliver (‘Oli’) King, Director and Head of Leasing, Stevenage Bioscience Catalyst, Daniel McCluskey, Dean of the School of Physics, Engineering and Computer Science at the University of Hertfordshire, Dave Michalovich, Vice President Translational Research, GSK, Emily Slupek, Director – Project Management (Oxford), Savills, Ellie Junod, Life Sciences Associate Director, UBS Asset Management and Ed Hayden, Director and Head of Science Sector, Scott Brownrigg

Oli King responded to the question of the expected impact on Stevenage of the major new development by UBS and its developer Reef:

'SBC has a great relationship with the Forge development and I am on the phone with the UBS real estate team regularly. They have instigated their infrastructure works. The project managers are bringing power onto site. They are expected to be building out phase one. We in our role as the Bioscience Catalyst are the innovation space, Forge will aim to attract cell and gene based companies and also wider life sciences. It's a pivotal piece to future proofing Stevenage as a major life sciences place.'

'The council with CEO Tom Pike, Hertfordshire Futures and the SBC all share the same vision to make Stevenage a town of success. Investment is being made in the public realm, greener, walking and cycling routes areas coupled with ability to still house the big companies like GSK, Airbus and Fujitsu.. We are making progress. The Elevate Quarter got planning with six million square foot in 6 months, which is very fast compared to cities like Cambridge.

'I don't think the term new town adds to the image, the future or legacy of Stevenage. Work though is needed to the welcome infrastructure of the town and it is paramount to the growth of the area. Giving some love to the station is very important as it's the 'first moment of truth' - the softening and modernisation is very much due. Just look at what has been done at King's Cross in London which was regarded as unsafe two decades ago but now is an exemplar of successful development. It has helped create the 'Knowledge Quarter' for London.

'SBC works much more closely now with GSK, Airbus and others. We are being forward thinking. It is not a closed campus and open to anybody wanting to inspect it. It is about permeability and getting away from the sense of a fortress site. Life Sciences are pioneering brilliant, collaborative thinking like universities.'

Above: GSK Campus at Stevenage, Hertfordshire

Vice President of Translational Research at GSK, Dave Michalovich, commented on the appeal of Stevenage:

'For us, at GSK there is a location advantage in being in Stevenage, as we are between London and Cambridge, and as we value our strong scientific collaborations with the Crick at St Pancras, Imperial College London, UCL. We also have strong connections with Cambridge University, Addenbrookes Hospital and Wellcome Genome Campus in the other direction across Cambridgeshire. The alignment with these institutions is key. Stevenage also has a position in the 'golden triangle' of London, Oxford and Cambridge. We have important working relationships with both these universities so the Stevenage location works well.

' We also have our HQ in London and a clinical unit in Cambridge. North Herts is filled with pharmaceutical, biotech and academic expertise and talent and this has aided recruitment.. and there is the local early stage talent at the Biocatalyst. It is the collective power of the wider ecosystem with hospitals and universities that helps.

'The Gunnels Wood site is still very relevant and offers a large research campus for scientists and we are busy evolving it into smart labs with more automation. It's an amazing centre for R&D and the UK mirrors a GSK sister campus in Philadelphia at Providence. We also have a great group of scientists situated at the EMBL (European Molecular Biology Laboratory) head quarters just outside Heidelberg - it's a very effective unit.'

Above: CGI of Elevate Quarter in Stevenage - courtesy of HawkinsBrown / Reef Origin / UBS Asset Management

Ellie Junod of UBS described the challenges of developing a large site - the Elevate Quarter which is adjacent to GSK and the SBC - against a backdrop of rising borrowing and cost of materials:

'With our development partner Reef we see the opportunity here in Stevenage - alongside the Cell and Gene Therapy Catapult, GSK's R&D campus and the Biocatalyst - to boost the quality of environment for the UK life sciences sector. There have been headwinds in terms of inflation on building costs, but we at UBS are long term investors. We are designing a campus of fifteen buildings around a central green space, blurring the boundaries between science and nature. It will be open for people to come in and explore.'

UBS Asset Management reported in 2023:

'UBS Asset Management and Reef Group (Reef) have received approval to create one of Europe’s largest life science campuses in Stevenage, Hertfordshire. The decision from Stevenage Borough Council’s planning committee paves the way for the new Life Sciences hub to be delivered alongside GSK’s existing Global R&D facility and the vibrant ecosystem at Stevenage Bioscience Catalyst.

'The scheme will deliver a world-class, sustainable, and connected life science campus bringing together companies from early-stage through to commercialisation and helping to meet the growing demand for GMP manufacturing and laboratory space in the UK. Construction is expected to start in late-2023 with completion for phase one targeted for Q4 2025.

The 15-building campus, which will be named ‘Elevate Quarter’, will be set around a central green with an interconnecting network of paths and open spaces. The buildings for the new campus will comprise a variety of different uses, including R&D labs and offices, GMP manufacturing facilities and flexible lab buildings, as well as training, innovation and collaboration spaces. Employee and visitor amenity spaces will include restaurants, cafes, and leisure facilities. There will be three Green Transport Hubs which will provide multi-storey car parking, bike parking and potential scooter/e-bike hire spaces.

'The new campus will build on Stevenage’s established reputation as Europe’s leading cluster for advanced therapies and home to over 40 organisations employing over 3,500 people. These include GSK’s Global R&D facility, the Cell and Gene Therapy Catapult (CGT Catapult), LifeArc, Cytiva and Stevenage Bioscience Catalyst (SBC), which is home to a growing number of early-stage life science companies.

'The approval builds on UBS Asset Management and Reef’s existing project in Stevenage, the redevelopment of ‘The Forum’ shopping centre, which will provide 400,000 sq. ft. of new GMP advanced manufacturing space in Stevenage town centre and received planning committee approval in February 2023.

Above: Ed Hayden (left) describing Scott Brownrigg's approach to designing high quality science buildings

Ed Hayden of Scott Brownrigg explained how designing space in science parks for open air meetings and class-room settings can make a difference to how openness and collaboration can be achieved. The practice has also completed important current work for the Oxford Science Park.

The Oxford Science Park celebrated a major construction milestone in April with the topping out of the first building in The Daubeny Project, marking the completion of the structure and installation of its roof.

It represents significant progress in the ambitious three-building development, which is set to provide over 450,000 sq ft of state-of-the-art laboratory and office space for leading science and technology companies.

The Daubeny Project is being delivered by Mace, the global delivery consultants and construction experts leading the build.

Designed by Scott Brownrigg, each building offers enhanced lab infrastructure designed to support cutting-edge research. Each floor has been designed with flexibility in mind, and has the capacity for up to 70% wet or dry labs. Spacious receptions and atriums to help foster not just innovation and collaboration, but employee wellbeing.

Ed added:

'Topping out at The Daubeny Project marks a bold new chapter in Oxford’s legacy of scientific excellence. Set in one of the world’s leading centres of knowledge, this development redefines life sciences space - where cutting-edge research meets next-generation design. It’s a proud milestone for Scott Brownrigg and all who helped shape this vision. In close partnership with The Oxford Science Park and Mace, we’re delivering more than buildings: we’re creating an environment that drives discovery, nurtures talent, and draws global innovators shaping the future of science.'

Sustainability is a central focus of the project, with all three buildings targeting BREEAM ‘Excellent’ and EPC A ratings. The development incorporates low-carbon technologies, energy-efficient systems, and extensive use of sustainable materials.

With construction well underway and leasing interest already strong, The Daubeny Project is set to become a landmark destination for life sciences and tech in the UK.

Above: detail from BDP of the Spectra building at Hertfordshire University

Professor Daniel McCluskey, Dean of School for the School of Physics, Engineering & Computer Science at the University of Hertfordshire joined the discussion. Professor McCluskey is responsible for strategic leadership across the STEM portfolio spanning education, research and enterprise with a particular focus on overcoming operational challenges for successful delivery.

He is a Chartered Engineer and Professor of Aerosol Bio-detection Technology within the School and a key point of contact with a track record in successful, multidisciplinary collaborations between Industry, Academics and Research staff across the Engineering spectrum, leading the delivery of projects with consistent success. His personal research area is focussed on Bio-detection Technology and system design for early warning of airborne biological threats.

Recently, Hertfordshire University invested £100 million into a new physics and engineering building on campus called the Spectra building.

Professor McClusky said:

'It is really important for institutions across Hertfordshire to collaborate more closely with business. We certainly welcome opportunities to exchange ideas with the SBC and GSK.

Hertfordshire Growth Board describes the Spectra building as bringing together the University’s physics, engineering and computer science departments, facilities, equipment and knowledge into one place for the first time. The £100m, five-storey building is the largest structure on the University’s College Lane campus following six years of building work.

Kitted out with some of the highest spec equipment available and new facilities.

Professor McCluskey described the new building:

“Spectra has been deliberately designed to provide students with an environment that mirrors the working environments in their future careers. This is to ensure we deliver on the University of Hertfordshire’s mission to provide the highest quality, career-focused education that hugely enhances career prospects and ensures our students graduate both work-ready and able to make an impact in real-world settings.”

These discussions will be continued at our September 'Global Tech Cities' discussion event hosted by The Bradfield Centre, Cambridge Science Park, with the Wellcome Genome Campus, Cambridge City Council, UK Power Networks, Water Resources East, Mission Street, British Land and the Cambridge Growth Company among other organisations.

Below: the SBC at Stevenage