Member Article

Bio-science company set to grow

A start-up bio-science company looks set to expand after receiving support from a local business development company. HB Innovations (HBI), headed by Sunderland University PhD graduate David Snell, has been set up to sell research and development expertise across the globe, and has had help from Tyne and Wear Economic Development Company to do so.

Specialising in in-vitro diagnostics, HBI is based at the Medical School at Newcastle University and has plans to grow its workforce from three to more than 25 over the next 3 years. HBI will contract out research and development services to diagnostics companies around the world. It also plans to build a portfolio of its own innovations and new products to be offered to other SME companies unable to commit to their own development programs.

David, who is the managing director, said: “Diagnostics is a specialist area with a growing global market. We intend to use the skills we have in the North East to meet the demand for research and development expertise across the globe. For many firms, research and development gets overtaken by the commercial demands of product sales and marketing. We can help overcome this conundrum by providing specialist skills as and when required.”

Tyne and Wear Development Company has supported David and his colleagues throughout the development of the business – using its network of contacts to identify sources of funding and potential facilities.

Paul Buie, manager at Tyne and Wear Development Company, said: “HB Innovations is one of a growing number of bio-science companies beginning to put Tyne and Wear’s name on the map as a hot-bed for innovative research and development. We’re delighted to be working with them to help the business take off.”

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Ruth Mitchell .