Alderley Park in Cheshire offers facilities for research
& development (R&D) focused life science companies
at every stage of their life-cycle, from start-up right
through to becoming established as a global corporation.
Whilst on site the Minister will meet with
the AMR Centre, who
play a key role in the British response to global threats
from anti-microbial resistance (AMR), to learn about
their international projects and find out about the UK’s
wider trading opportunities presented by AMR.
The company is a joint private-public initiative which aims
to accelerate the development of new treatments and
diagnostics in the fight against the growing global impact
of resistance to antibiotics.
Minister of State at the Department for International Trade,
, said:
There is an ever-increasing worldwide demand for the UK’s
life sciences goods and services with £33.5bn being
exported last year. The AMRCentre, part of the
Northern Power House, is a key part of this. It is a
global centre of excellence and the work they do has the
potential to save lives across the world.
Our Export Strategy aims to support their growth
overseas. Indeed, we offer a range of support to
businesses, large and small, which includes providing
finance help through our award-winning credit agency, UK
Export Finance, advice from our network of Export
Champions and a wealth of resources and opportunities
on GREAT.gov.uk.
Dr Peter Jackson, Executive Director of
The AMR Centre said:
It’s great to be able to showcase the
internationally-important centre of excellence in the
fight against drug-resistant superbugs here at
the AMRCentre and with our
partners across the North West.
In the UK, we have a fantastic opportunity to capitalise
on our world-class universities, our drug development
expertise and our global leadership on
the AMR agenda to
make a real difference for patients around the world.
The Minister previously met with the AMR Centre on
a trade mission to the
Boston BIO Conference earlier this year, where
businesses from across the Northern Powerhouse were able to
connect with potential US buyers and like-minded firms.
To expand their international profile, the company has made
use of DIT support to further their overseas contacts
including help and advice on attending trade shows in the
likes of Germany, Japan and the US, and has already signed
antibiotic development contracts with companies in the USA
and Sweden.
DIT is also helping wider businesses in Alderley Park with
their exporting ambitions. The local International Trade
Advisor, Sara Pomfret has set up regular drop in sessions
on site to offer advice and support to any local business
that needs it.
Dr Chris Doherty, managing director of Alderley Park, said:
Science crosses borders and innovation is a powerful
enabler driving the UK economy forward. Alderley Park is
a major science and technology location for UK Plc and
key asset within Bruntwood SciTech, the UK’s leader in
creating innovation districts.
We very much welcome the support from DIT in helping our
customers take their ideas to global markets.
The government recently launched a new Export
Strategy which sets out how DIT will support
businesses of all sizes to make the most of the
opportunities presented by markets around the world.
A collaboration with business, developed after extensive
engagement with a range of UK firms - the Strategy sets a
new ambition from government to increase exports as a
proportion of UK GDP to 35%.
