New Chairman of BioCity Nottingham Louis J Nisbet DSc PhD assumes his position this month amidst significant changes and challenges in the global life sciences sector.

With increasing fragmentation in the drug discovery industry and the dramatic reduction in government-funded support for early-stage firms, BioCity Nottingham is providing office and laboratory facilities, infrastructure support and finance for smaller bioscience companies who are discovering new market opportunities. Dr Nisbet will oversee the expansion of BioCity services to cater for the increasing demand from both UK and international tenants. The recent arrival of former AstraZeneca and Pfizer employees launching new ventures, as well as the rapid growth of several existing tenants, makes the BioCity bioscience cluster an attractive central UK business location.

Marlow-based Dr Nisbet is Venture Partner with Kurma BioFund, Paris, and is a highly regarded health industries professional. His early pharmaceutical career in drug discovery research with Roche, Glaxo and Smith Kline gives him a global insight into the issues surrounding the development and commercialisation of new healthcare products and businesses. He will devote time in Nottingham with fellow Board directors to addressing the specific needs of new life science companies, especially their financing requirements.

Speaking ahead of his first Board meeting as Chairman, Dr Nisbet said: "I believe BioCity's strong reputation puts us in a unique position to respond to the growing demand for highly-specialised facilities, support services and funding. Life science and bioscience companies wanting to grow need early stage venture capital but this is presently scarce.  We will be looking to work with our clients and the large pharmaceutical companies, as well as private investors, to find innovative solutions to facilitate partnerships and financing which suit everyone." 

Dr Glenn Crocker CEO of BioCity says: We are looking forward to working with Louis as BioCity continues to evolve. Under his guidance we will be able to plug any gaps in the provision of incubation facilities and services and further develop the Mobius Life Sciences Fund. His world-wide connections will enable us to continue our collaborations with the US, India and the UK life science community to provide the best possible start for promising new companies."

For more information visit www.biocity.co.uk