The story so far...
As global health services and markets are changing and being shaped by rapid development of healthcare technologies – resulting in more personalised treatments and the need to respond to the health and social care implications of an ageing population – the North East offers a unique environment for innovation in health and life sciences and medicines manufacturing.
With an internationally recognised innovation ecosystem and translational environment, the North East has the skills, physical assets, capabilities and networks can support the delivery of the UK’s response to this challenge through the ongoing development of our key capabilities and their strategic co-ordination.
The region’s strengths include excellence in the quality of care and a focus on health innovation and partnership between the health system, science and business.
Ongoing infrastructure developments at Newcastle Helix and NETPark in County Durham continue to support the growing Health and Life Sciences sector in the North East. The region’s established centres of excellence now include The International Centre for Life, The Institute for Ageing and Campus on Ageing and Vitality and The National Formulation Centre.
Health and Life Sciences Steering Group
Michael Whitaker (Chair) – Pharma North East and Innovation Board member
Tim Hammond – Durham University
Geraint Lewis – Newcastle University
Tony Alabaster – University of Sunderland
Carolyn Horrocks – Northumbria University
Richard Baker – North East LEP
Alan Welby – North East LEP
Geoff Davison – BioNow
Nicola Wesley – AHSN
Philip Aldridge – NEPIC
Arun Harish – CPI
Rachel Burdis – Invest North East England
Sarah Pavlou – RTC North
Dale Athey – NPL
Kevin Cook – Sterling Pharmaceuticals
Will Dracup – Biosignatures
Roger Kilburn – Arcinova
Andrew Tasker – Femeda
Ben Cantwell – Kromek
Andrea Burroughs – Newcastle Upon Tyne Hospitals Trust
Peter Rippingale – North East Combined Authority
Vicky Cuthbertson – North of Tyne Combined Authority

The Newcastle
University
Institute for
Ageing comprises
a network of over
500
researchers.

47%
of biological sciences research at Newcastle University was rated 4 stars in the Research Excellence Framework 2014 meaning it is world-leading.

Between 2008
and 2018
North East institutions secured
£122m
from the Medical Research Council.
The North East has also participated in six Science and Innovation Audits covering topics including health innovation and bio-economy.
Since the publication of the SEP in 2014, new STEM College facilities have been supported in South Shields, Wallsend and Ashington.
Find out more about our strengths and innovation in the sector here.
Get in touch

To discuss our work in Health and Life Sciences, please contact our Director of Policy, Strategy and Analysis, Richard Baker.