Science Minister holds meeting with University leaders and local MPs about critical role of Birmingham contribution to life sciences
Science Minister Lord Vallance has visited the Birmingham Health Innovation Campus (BHIC), a world-leading research hub for innovation at the heart of Birmingham’s health and life sciences district.
During the visit which followed the launch of a £50m Local Innovation Partnership Fund, Lord Vallance met with the leaders of the University of Birmingham and local MPs to discuss the critical role of Birmingham's Health & Life Sciences District. The District represents a square mile with a £1bn five-year cycle of new research and development awards, in attracting inward investment and scaling SMEs within the UK.
University of Birmingham leaders highlighted to Lord Vallance the defining contribution of the University, surrounding healthcare partners, industry, Government and charitable funders to grow the region’s capacity, capability and commitment to deliver on the Life Sciences Sector Plan and NHS 10-Year Plan for patients, the public and our UK economy.
Our world-class hospitals and universities work side-by-side, our experts deliver billions of pounds of research, and we have state-of-the-art infrastructure ready to support world-leading research, development and innovation.
Science Minister Lord Vallance said: “Innovation is fundamental to achieving economic growth, which is why we want to support the development of new tech right across the country, including here in the West Midlands.”
Professor Neil Hanley, Pro-Vice-Chancellor, Head of the College of Medicine & Health at the University of Birmingham and Executive Director of Birmingham Health Partners said: “We are delighted to welcome Lord Vallance to see the Birmingham Health Innovation Campus and see how Birmingham is ideally equipped to help the Government meet its objectives to grow the United Kingdom’s life science sector.
“Our world-class hospitals and universities work side-by-side, our experts deliver billions of pounds of research, and we have state-of-the-art infrastructure ready to support world-leading research, development and innovation.”
Explore the Birmingham Health Innovation Campus, a world-leading research hub, providing a home for innovation at the heart of Birmingham’s health and life sciences district.
Professor Rachel O’Reilly, Pro-Vice-Chancellor (Research) at the University of Birmingham said: “At the University of Birmingham, we already have some of the world’s finest researchers, clinicians and infrastructure here in the region to help drive progress against major healthcare challenges. The announcement of £50m of Local Innovation Partnership Funding underscores the West Midlands is arguably the best place in the world to accelerate this progress with a diverse population of five million people.”
In addition, local MPs had an opportunity to learn about the Precision Health Technologies Accelerator (PHTA) based at the University of Birmingham. MPs toured the facilities including seeing space for commercial cleanrooms funded as part of the LIPF Clinical Commercial Catalyst programme. The tour also included the medtech Makerspace, giving MPs a first-hand look at how the facility’s prototyping and 3D-printing capabilities – as well as design support service and technical expertise – are ready to help entrepreneurs and spinouts to develop next-generation devices.
The visit follows several Ministerial visits to the Birmingham Health Innovation Campus and PHTA in 2025/26, following Baron Stockwood’s tour and Baroness Smith’s visit in recognition of Birmingham’s health and life sciences district as a focal point for sector innovation.
For media enquiries please contact Tim Mayo, Press Office, University of Birmingham, tel: +44 (0)7815 607 157.
Pro-Vice-Chancellor and Head of the College of Medicine and Health
Professor Neil Hanley is Pro-Vice-Chancellor and Head of the College of Medicine and Health at the University of Birmingham.
Pro-Vice Chancellor (Research)
Professor Rachel O'Reilly is Chair in Chemistry at the School of Chemistry. She leads the O'Reilly Group whose research targets the design, synthesis and application of uniquely derived polymeric materials.
