Edinburgh BioQuarter has opened bids for a private sector partner for a £1bn transformation project to expand the sites research buildings and homes
Edinburgh BioQuarter has formally launched its public procurement process for a private sector partner on Find a Tender.
The opportunity to create a £1bn health innovation district which will create jobs, homes, and a community for thousands of people in Edinburgh has attracted interest from parties around the world.
BioQuarter, which sits just three miles south of Edinburgh city centre, is expected to be worth around £140m a year to the Scottish economy in the next decade.
It will employ almost 13,000 people and support more than 200 health innovation companies.
Over the lifetime of the development, there is the potential to grow to a health innovation community of 20,000 with 2,500 residential units on site.
BioQuarter is expected to receive £550m of discounted capital investment, supporting 4,310 jobs in construction.
EBQ3 Ltd has been formed between the City of Edinburgh Council, regional development agency Scottish Enterprise and the University of Edinburgh to lead the procurement of a private partner for the proposed strategic joint venture partnership.
The public sector-led programme also includes major stakeholders NHS Lothian, a key partner in the innovation ecosystem, which has its two acute hospitals based on site.
‘A once in a lifetime opportunity’
Scottish Government minister for business, trade, tourism and enterprise, Ivan McKee, said: “This is a once in a lifetime opportunity and one of the most exciting investment and collaborative opportunities with far-reaching benefits for investors, local communities and global health innovators alike. It shows that Scotland is very much open for business.
“With the commitment of its public sector partners, BioQuarter has had over £600m public capital investment, with even further investment planned by them over the next five years.
“It has played a key role in Scotland’s successes in the life sciences sector, which has a turnover of £6.5bn and employs over 41,000 people.
“A private sector partner will help deliver a globally significant health innovation community of researchers, academics and clinicians and will continue to foster entrepreneurship, supporting as many as 200 new companies.”
Councillor Adam McVey, leader of City of Edinburgh Council, commented: “We’re proud to be a partner in Edinburgh BioQuarter, a driving force in Scotland’s thriving life sciences sector and already a prime destination in the UK for healthcare delivery, ground-breaking medical research and health innovation.
“The expansion of the BioQuarter is a key part of Edinburgh’s economic future – an area earmarked for life science development supporting wider growth and regeneration in the south east of the city.
“Edinburgh BioQuarter has the potential to bring in billions of pounds of investment with lasting benefits for local people, connecting jobs, education and opportunities to nearby areas like Greendykes and Craigmillar, where we’re also making major investments in regeneration.
“Working with partners, we’ve already set out our vision for Edinburgh to be the data capital of Europe.
“Upcoming developments at the BioQuarter like the Usher Institute will be the next step in realising this vision, further cementing our international reputation and a critical mass of collaboration between clinicians, researchers and businesses.”
Adrian Gillespie, CEO of Scottish Enterprise, said: “Placemaking and partnership are crucial to ensuring an economy thrives. Edinburgh BioQuarter is one of the most significant long-term programmes Scottish Enterprise has undertaken and the work we have done – and continue to do – with our partners to secure the success of the BioQuarter means we are now in a place to take the park to the next phase.
“Alongside the City of Edinburgh Council, the University of Edinburgh and NHS Lothian, we’ve already invested over £600m in the existing site, with further investment planned in the next five years through pipeline projects, including the new University of Edinburgh Usher Institute.
“Together we are developing a masterplan and placemaking strategy which will form the basis of one of the most exciting investment prospects anywhere and will bring real economic and social benefits for Edinburgh, as well as continuing to grow a world-leading medical research and innovation base right here in Scotland.”
Contracting authorities are hosting an online bidders event on 9 November 2021, from 9-10am.
