Medicity boosts global aspirations
Regional Focus
Medicity boosts global aspirations
David Browning
MANAGING DIRECTOR , MEDICITY
MediCity in Nottingham is one of the UK ’ s fastest growing innovation hubs for consumer healthcare , medical technology , diagnostics , and beauty products . Innovation into Success spoke to Managing Director David Browning to find out the reasons behind its success
MediCity is a collaboration between Boots UK , a member of Walgreens Boots Alliance , and BioCity , one the UK ' s leading life sciences incubation businesses . Opened in February 2014 , the hub has already attracted more than 30 companies , from those involved with beauty product development and drug formulation to the manufacture of high-end fitness testing equipment . It has also become a major conference , meeting and events venue capable of hosting up to 1,000 delegates .
Boots UK already has a long history of innovation in Nottingham , and MediCity certainly benefits from being located on the world-famous Nottingham site . David explained : “ When the building was designed back in the ’ 30s it was the Boots ‘ Drys ’ factory , and it ’ s now a unique , Grade I listed structure . The building was always designed to be flexible and is effectively built out of one piece of concrete . It was a revolutionary building and is still a landmark in Nottingham today .
“ From a practical point of view there is very little internal infrastructure so we have the flexibility to reconfigure it . A new suite of laboratories capable of dealing with complex chemistry has just been refurbished for a couple of larger tenants , and we can accommodate the engineering and manufacture of health-related products .
MediCity reception and meeting areas
“ We ’ ve also introduced the flexible option of ‘ hot desks ’ and ‘ pods ’ for individuals or small teams at the very early stages of developing a business idea . Companies renting laboratory and office facilities have access to high-end equipment , shared services , training , business support and access to investment .
“ It means that our smaller companies settle in an environment where there are a lot complementary skills and capabilities . MediCity aims to inspire people to think about
Eventful innovation at MediCity
MediCity Innovators ’ Week , which was held in March , delivers an annual mix of inspirational talks given by industry leaders to an audience of major influencers , investors , entrepreneurs and academics .
MediCity Managing Director David Browning heads-up the event organisation . David comments : “ This year ’ s theme , The Future of Proactive Healthtech ’, was designed to help accelerate the emergence of new ideas and partnerships that will ultimately improve peoples ’ health and wellbeing . There is a pressing need to take a multi-disciplinary approach to the development and commercialisation of systems , products or processes that we will all be able to use to manage our own health and wellbeing .”
Lord Paul Drayson , CEO , Drayson Technologies and an expert in energy-harvesting technology , led the programme of health industry speakers at the gathering . He explained the impact such technologies will have on
Pictured ( from left ) are Giovanni Monti , David Browning and Lord Paul Drayson
new healthcare platforms within the Internet of Things . He was joined by Giovanni Monti , Director of Healthcare Innovation for Walgreens Boots Alliance who highlighted examples of innovation that are enabling people to take more responsibility for their health and wellbeing .
48 SUMMER 2016