Princess Anne officially opens £9.5m Life Sciences Innovation Centre at Inverness Campus

Princess Anne, the Princess Royal, has opened a new multimillion-pound centre in Inverness which aims to become internationally significant in the life sciences sector.

The £9.5 million Life Sciences Innovation Centre at Inverness Campus will offer space for businesses to work with academia on innovative projects and provide access to high-tech research equipment and laboratory conditions for collaborative research.

The building forms part of a wider project with the NHS National Treatment Centre – Highland which opened to patients yesterday.

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The royal visitor toured the new innovation centre and unveiled a plaque.

She was joined by over 100 invited guests, including Professor Sir Jonathan Van-Tam, former deputy chief medical officer for England and now pro-vice chancellor at the University of Nottingham.

The facility is a collaboration between Highlands and Islands Enterprise (HIE) and the University of the Highlands and Islands (UHI).

Designed by Austin-Smith:Lord and built by Robertson Construction, the development has been supported with funding from the Inverness and Highland City-Region Deal and the European Regional Development Fund.

HIE, UHI and NHS Highland will integrate academic healthcare research, delivery of clinical care to patients and the creation of new commercial opportunities, products and services in health science and technology.

Between them, the developments are forecast to support more than 200 jobs.

Speaking at the opening ceremony, Vicki Nairn, UHI principal and vice-chancellor, said it had been a privilege to open the new shared Life Sciences Innovation Centre.

"This event marks the beginning of another ambitious venture with HIE and the start of a new era for life sciences across our operating area," she said.

"In partnership with HIE, we will be working to establish this new centre as a facility of international significance.

"It will strengthen partnerships with industry and the NHS to develop technologies which will have a positive and possibly life-changing impact on our communities and wider society.

"The new centre will allow us to increase our existing research in fields such as medical nanotechnology and active health and will help us to provide even greater support to the life sciences and health sectors.

"It represents a significant investment in the future and will generate economic benefits for our communities through innovation, commercialisation, company and job creation and by attracting and retaining talent."

Stuart Black, HIE’s chief executive, said the centre would support commercial enterprises, including new business start-ups and organisations looking to establish a presence in the Highlands and Islands.

"The partnership approach and alignment with the National Treatment Centre – Highland is very much in keeping with the collaborative ethos of Inverness Campus," he said.

"The benefits will extend across the region and support the continued growth of the life sciences sector. All of this will help to attract and retain talent for the region."

UK government minister Felicity Buchan said: "The opening of the new Life Sciences Innovation Centre, supported with £9 million from the UK government through the Inverness and Highland City-Region Deal, shows what is possible when we come together with the Scottish Government, local authorities and partners to deliver a shared vision for people in Scotland."

Scottish Government innovation minister Richard Lochhead said it represented a new and exciting development for a key sector of the Highlands and Islands economy.

"The centre’s role as a significant driver for future growth in this area is particularly valuable, and the new inward investment and jobs it generates will deliver a significant boost to the local economy and community," he said.

"I look forward to seeing the research, innovation and opportunities that will come from the centre."

The new Life Sciences Innovation Centre has benefited from £4.96 million of funding awarded by the European Regional Development Fund Scotland Programme 2014-2020. This is made up of awards of £1.21 million to HIE and £3.75 million to UHI.

UHI’s life sciences programme, including its element of the Life Sciences Innovation Centre, secured £9 million from the UK Government through the Inverness and Highland City-Region Deal, which is managed by Highland Council.

The deal is a joint initiative supported by up to £315 million investment from the UK and Scottish governments, Highland Council, HIE and UHI, aimed at stimulating sustainable regional economic growth.

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