Sandwich, Kent, UK, 23rd June 2015 / Sciad Newswire / BioGateway, the new life science network for Kent is launched today at an event being held at Discovery Park in Sandwich. BioGateway aims to become the most complete life science network in Europe serving as the gateway between the UK and the rest of Europe.

The launch event will be attended by leading figures in the national and international biotech community, investors, academic thought leaders, local and national government. The guest speaker is Dr Mark Treherne, CEO UKTI Life Science Organisation who will be talking about the landscape of Life Sciences in the UK and how networks like the BioGateway are important to support growth in this sector. Other speakers include Tommy Dolan, Vice President at Pfizer; Simon Westbrook, Acting Chairman for BioGateway and CEO Levicept; Kim Giliam, General Manager Genea Biomedx and Alex Watson, Chief Operating Officer BioGateway.

According to Simon Westbrook, “Kent is home to many leading names in the life sciences sector, including global players such as Pfizer, Mylan, Sekisui and Aesica.  Over the last two years, there has been an unprecedented growth in the number of companies moving into the region and Kent has become one of the fastest growing centres for the life sciences in the UK with over 150 companies employing more than 6,800 life science professionals working in drug discovery, in vitro Diagnostics, Medical Devices and Agribiotech.  As a consequence, Kent found itself hosting a major life science cluster without all of the benefits of an interactive and effective Network.  BioGateway was founded to create a focus for this vibrant community”.

Alex Watson further emphasised that “BioGateway aims to support its members by facilitating partnering with other companies within Kent and throughout the UK and Europe. BioGateway will also interface and interact with other science networks, associations and institutes, firmly positioning Kent as the connector between the life science sectors in the UK and continental Europe. As BioGateway moves forward to launch, it is able to reflect on the generosity of its sponsors, particularly our Corporate Foundation Sponsors Kreston Reeves and Pfizer.  This is complemented by the considerable commitment offered by a number of companies and individuals who have given of their time and services on a pro bono basis.”

-ends-

Contact: For more information about BioGateway, please contact Alex Watson at BioGateway at alex.watson@thebiogateway.org, +44 (0)1732 520700.

For media enquiries, please contact James Motteram at James@sciad.com, +44 (0)20 7691 2155 or Richard Anderson at richard@sciad.com, +44 (0)7973 950376

For more information about Kent as a location for the Life Science industry please visit: www.locateinkent.com/lifesciences

Got an innovation you need bringing to life?

We’d love to hear from you! Head to our contact page to start a conversation.

Photo of Emily Blythe