January 1, 1970 (Vol. , No. )

John Sterling Editor in Chief Genetic Engineering & Biotechnology News

The concept of a biocluster will take on a novel and expanded meaning with the upcoming formation of “The Golden Triangle” in the U.K. The heads of the biotech network organizations in Cambridge (ERBI), Oxford, and London will seek to formalize what has been up to now a rather informal arrangement whereby the three clusters have been working together on biotech science and business projects. They are naming the new supercluster The Golden Triangle, which will be rolled out in September.

“This is the densest region in Europe for therapeutics, medtech, diagnostic, and healthcare R&D companies,” said Harriet Fear CEO of ERBI. “It is also home to many of hte world’s leading companies and provides access to a skilled labor force, centers of clinical and academic excdllence, and an infrastructure supporting one of the most productive and innovative regions of Europe.”[pg} The Golden Triangle Network will reach out to potential collaborators around the world and to encourage non-UK companies to set up facilities in London, Oxford, or Cambridge. The Massachussets Biotechnology Council is already interacting with the new biotech supercluster. The U.S. State of Indian is also interested. India is also in the plans of the supercluster officials.

“Like other businesses biotechnology too is global and we want to make scientists and biotech companies around the world aware of the potential advantages of working with the supercluster,” noted Tony Jones, director of biotechnology and healthcare at the London Biotechnology Network. “We want to help our potential partners access the next bit of biotech innovation.”

“Along with the need to be globally competitive, synergy and complementarity will be the driving force behind the relationships the supercluster will seek to build,” added Jon Rees, Ph.D., CEO of the Oxfordshire Bioscience Network.

In terms of what expertise each U.K. region brings to the table, London is strong in clinical research and access to funding sources, Cambridge boasts strength in discovering therapeutic antibodies and moving them through clinical trials, drug reprofiling, and developing novel technology platforms, and Oxford has a strong R&D base across a range of diseases, including cancer, CNS disorders, and inflammation.

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