Brazil looks to Chesterford for international collaboration

Collaborations between Cambridgeshire biotech companies and their opposite numbers in South America could be on the horizon as Chesterford Research Park today hosted a visit from the Brazilian Ministry of Development, Industry and Foreign Trade, to explore the potential for closer links with Brazil.

Hosted by Martin Sylvester of Churchmanor Estates, joint developers of Chesterford Research Park, the visit gave the 19 strong delegation an insight into developing a successful R&D location and building relationships with some of the region’s leading companies.

The visit was initiated under the scope of an agreement signed by the European Commission and Brazilian authorities to enhance the capabilities of Brazilian research parks through exchange and cooperation with European ‘centre’s of excellence’. Brazil is currently in the midst of a transition from imitator to innovator in biotechnology and has the scientific and market capacity to emerge as a major global player.

Delegates started their tour at The Nucleus, Chesterford’s Award winning 22,000 sq ft central facilities building, where Martin Sylvester and Park Manager, Katherine Maguire, talked through the practical aspects of developing a successful research park.

As well as learning about UK developments and innovations in biotechnology the minister was able to meet representatives from a number of key companies in the region, including Martyn Postle, Chief Executive of Cambridge Healthcare & Biotech, a well-established strategic consultancy to biotech, pharmaceutical and healthcare businesses throughout Europe and the US, who showcased a number of success stories.

The initiative also gave delegates the opportunity to seek possible partners for collaboration and gain insights into relationships between the region’s industry and education establishments.

Martin Sylvester commented on the visit: “It is a testament to our growing reputation that Chesterford continues to draw international delegations looking to gain knowledge of how successful R&D locations are created. This visit gave us the opportunity to showcase both Chesterford and the south Cambridgeshire bio cluster as a world class R&D location attracting both start up and global bioscience companies. We continually strive to set new standards for the sector, offering outstanding facilities in a stunning setting, and the positive advantages of being located within a like minded research community.”

Rafael Henrique Rodrigues Moreira, Government Consultant said: “This visit has provided a valuable insight into one of the UK’s leading bio cluster region and illustrated why Chesterford Research Park has such strong appeal as an R&D location. It also explored ways of developing stronger ties between the region and Brazil, something we are keen to develop further, and provided constructive debate on how we can take this forward.”