‘Life-changing’ medical and research centre in Beeston starting to take shape – Nottinghamshire Live

A giant steel skeleton which has been built on the outskirts of Beeston town centre will eventually become a new facility for pioneering medical technology.

The new Medical Technologies Innovation Facility (MTIF) is being built as part of a 23million dual-site project dedicated to the development, production and commercialisation of medical technology.

Contractors say work is now "well underway".

It will operate in conjunction with Nottingham Trent University's 15million research and development centre at its Clifton campus and both buildings are due to be completed by Autumn 2020.

MTIF will provide access to laboratories and clean rooms (areas free from contamination) which will allow for clinical and prototype manufacturing and development.

Nottingham Trent University said the aim is to improve patient care by speeding up medical product development and get revolutionary products on the market quickly.

At NTU we are finding new ways for researchers and innovators to collaborate and share ideas and to do so in a way that creates outstanding impact and opportunities for society, said Professor Mark Biggs, pro vice-chancellor and head of college of science and technology at NTU, and MTIF sponsor on the university's executive team.

He added: MTIF embodies that, transforming world-class research and innovation into new medical products and technologies that will help to improve peoples lives across the UK and beyond.

The MTIF building will also form part of the Nottingham Enterprise Zone, an area awarded by the Government where businesses are given incentives, such as a base of operations for minimal rates.

Boots was awarded this status in 2011, and BioCity has since collaborated to form an area called 'MediCity'.

The latest MTIF project has been supported by the D2N2 Local Enterprise Partnership, through the Local Growth Fund.

Once it is launched it is expected to become a major innovation asset within the Midlands Engine area, which aims to attract further investment to the region.

Elizabeth Fagan, chair of the D2N2 Local Enterprise Partnership and non-executive chair, Boots UK, said: D2N2 is proud to have invested over 9.7m from the Local Growth Fund into the dual-site Medical Technologies Innovation Facility (MTIF) on NTU Clifton campus and the Boots site, which is part of the Nottingham Enterprise Zone.

I speak for Boots too in saying were delighted to welcome this new facility to the site. The location has an amazing history of innovation in healthcare and wellbeing, and MTIF will join a growing cluster of medical technology businesses.

"This is a great example of how joint investment and partnership can drive business innovation both in the region and the UK.

Go here to read the rest:
'Life-changing' medical and research centre in Beeston starting to take shape - Nottinghamshire Live