Stevenage Bioscience Catalyst is a collaborative venture funded by the Government, GSK and Wellcome. Opened in 2012, the site was created to accelerate the translation of cutting-edge science into real-world results that improve the health and quality of people’s lives.
Twelve years on, SBC is now the largest cell and gene therapy (CGT) research cluster in Europe – home to 45 techbio and advanced therapeutics companies including the Cell and Gene Therapy Catapult, LifeArc and many more.
In this interview with SBC’s CEO, Dr Sally Ann Forsyth OBE, we explore what makes the site unique, and the opportunities it provides for life science companies.
What is the community and culture like at SBC?
SBC is a vibrant environment and one that fosters inclusivity at the heart of its culture. We run several initiatives to engage with the local community, including internships for local pupils, work placements for SEN students and support for local charities including STEMPOINT and Herts Young Homelessness. We also run several workshops throughout the year to promote inclusivity in the community, including LGBTQ+, International Women’s Day and International Men’s Day. Other events at the campus are designed for companies at all stages of growth, including networking, roundtables and panel discussions. Outside of work, companies on the campus can access our on-site gym and badminton courts, or explore our beautiful outdoor spaces.
SBC Summer Social 2024
What support is on offer for start-ups located at SBC?
We’re proud to offer a range of support options for new companies. First and foremost, our ‘Lab Hotel’ initiative provides start-ups with six months rent-free within our incubator building, during which time they have free access to dedicated lab and office space, including the specialist molecular biology and tissue culture equipment that is freely accessible to all companies across the campus.
We also offer several training programs, designed to equip companies with the tools they need for long-term success. Training ranges from the more informal sessions designed to promote collaboration and learning between peers – mentoring, workshops, networking and our CEO’s club – through to our Catalyser programme, a multi-session guide to developing and executing effective commercial strategy. Alongside training, we are committed to providing advice and support where we can, including introducing companies to sources of finance and helping them through the investment process.
SBC’s Lab Hotel offers early stage start-ups six months rent free space and access to equipment
What about established businesses looking to scale-up? Do you offer support for those?
As part of our ongoing industry research, we identified a significant gap in the market for medium-sized businesses that are looking to scale. Our team have been working hard to develop a plan for how we can best support these businesses and accommodate them on the campus, and we’re excited to share more details in the coming months – watch this space!
What are some of the biggest success stories from SBC so far?
Since opening, companies within SBC have raised a combined £3.6B in funding – an extraordinary amount that puts our site on par with areas like Cambridge, Oxford and London in terms of equity raised.
In addition to funding, we’ve seen several exits and IPO’s, including success stories such as Autolus and KaNDy. Launched in 2017, KaNDy develops non-hormonal oral treatments to help women alleviate symptoms of menopause. The company was acquired by Bayer in 2020 in a deal worth up to >$1B, and has gone on to become the first SBC-based business to achieve positive Phase 3 results. Autolus joined SBC in 2018 to help scale up its GMP manufacturing processes. Shortly after, the company went public, raising approximately £160.4M through its IPO, and continued to grow rapidly, reaching 300 employees in 2023 and announcing significant deals with BioNTech, Moderna and Blackstone Life Sciences.
With so many developers building across the Golden Triangle, what sets SBC apart from the rest?
Perhaps the most crucial part of what makes SBC unique is its business model. As a ‘not-for-profit’ organisation, any profits and investment goes straight back into improving our community here – helping to create the jobs, drive the training programs and provide free access to the facilities and business support that allow our campus to thrive.
Strategically located at the centre of the ‘Golden Triangle’, SBC has outstanding transport connections to both Cambridge and London. Not only does this provide access to key markets, it also enables companies to access a much broader recruitment pool to attract the talented individuals needed to help them succeed. Being within the Golden Triangle but outside of the Cambridge and London ‘bubbles’ brings other benefits, notably that it gives space to grow. This means SBC is not just a home for start-ups, but somewhere that can support companies through their entire development without the need to relocate. The smaller towns surrounding SBC offer affordable housing, particularly in comparison to nearby Cambridge and London – a big point of difference to other developments and one which is extremely beneficial for employees in the local community.
Artist’s impression of Elevate Quarter, a 1.6m sq ft science park being built onto the Stevenage Campus over the next ten years
Helping companies achieve long-term success and develop Commercial strategy is a core part of our mission, and is part of the reason why companies on the campus consistently exceed industry standards. Companies within SBC have an 87% survival rate relative to a 65-70% industry average, in addition to approximately 6 months faster product development. Combined with an average deal size five-fold greater than Cambridge and London, it’s fantastic to see that our commitment to supporting company growth is having a tangible impact on development of the next-generation of cutting-edge therapies.
