Work starts on £41m health innovation campus

By Ged Henderson

09 Aug 2018

Building work has started on a landmark £41m university health project in Lancaster.

The world-leading Health Innovation Campus (HIC) will support 300 county-based SMEs in developing new and innovative digital and technological health solutions.

And Northern Powerhouse minister and Lancashire MP Jake Berry has predicted it will establish the university as a “global player” in the health sector.

The first phase of the new building, which is next to the main campus, is due to open in autumn next year. A ground-breaking ceremony was held to mark the start of the construction phase.

Once open experts at the HIC will work collaboratively with businesses and the sector to tackle the biggest challenge in healthcare today - helping people to live as long and as healthily as possible.

Lancaster vice-chancellor Professor Mark E Smith said the HIC would play a regional role in health by “engaging regionally, nationally and internationally with hundreds of companies”.

And he added: “It will allow Lancaster’s world-class research to have even greater impact.”

HIC’s new director Dr Sherry Kothari said: “This is an exciting initiative focused on providing innovative solutions to addressing the enormous challenges faced by our healthcare system.

“The HIC will provide a focal point for health care providers to work collaboratively with researchers and companies to bring about meaningful impact to how we manage the future health of our region.”

Lancaster University Health Innovation CampusAs well as digital innovation, this will include the design, development and evaluation of healthy places to live and work, improving health systems, and the development of new materials to improve health.

HIC is funded by the university and through the Lancashire Enterprise Partnership’s (LEP) Growth Deal Fund and the ERDF’s Structural and Investment Fund.

Local growth minister and minister for the Northern Powerhouse, Jake Berry, said:  “This new Health Innovation Campus will establish Lancaster University as a global player in the prevention and diagnosis of illnesses.

“It also boosts Lancashire’s reputation within the Northern Powerhouse as a centre for cutting-edge scientific research and digital innovation.”

Graham Cowley, chairman of the LEP’s Growth Deal Management Board, said of the university health project: “Healthcare is an emerging economic sector in Lancashire and the Health Innovation Campus is set to act as a dynamic catalyst for the whole region within both health R&D and innovative healthcare practice.

“Further this facility will be accessible to local SMEs who are active within health, wellbeing and related sectors. “This means smaller firms will be able to tap into the university’s wealth of knowledge and experience to help them accelerate commercial opportunities, become more competitive and add significant value to the wider Lancashire economy.”

Enjoyed this? Read more from Ged Henderson

Latest news

1

Call to recognise the ‘Now Generation’ of Lancashire leaders Sub36 event

Call to recognise the ‘Now Generation’ of Lancashire leaders

15 Jul 2025

2

Maya Ellis MP hails A582 upgrade funding as major step forward in tackling transport chaos Maya Ellis MP photo

Maya Ellis MP hails A582 upgrade funding as major step forward in tackling transport chaos

15 Jul 2025

3

TSS announce leadership appointments to drive continued growth James Austin, Alistair Bradley and Michael Collum

TSS announce leadership appointments to drive continued growth

15 Jul 2025

4

Date revealed for opening of entries for Red Rose Awards 2026 Red Rose Awards 2025

Date revealed for opening of entries for Red Rose Awards 2026

14 Jul 2025

5

Northcote celebrates marketing award for the 25th anniversary of Culinary Festival Obsession Northcotes winning awards

Northcote celebrates marketing award for the 25th anniversary of Culinary Festival Obsession

14 Jul 2025

Background image for hub sign up block

LBV Hub

Leverage Lancashire Business View platforms

Post your news
Post your events
Post your offers
Build your network
Improve your SEO
Gain coverage in the magazine
Sign-up
Events
LBV123 July/August Launch Event
Lancashire Business View magazine launch
Networking
16 Jul 2025

LBV123 July/August Launch Event

Burnley College University Courses Building, Burnley, BB12 0AN

08:30 - 10:30

Lancashire Built Environment Conference 2025
BEC 315 X 315 Px
Networking
25 Sep 2025

Lancashire Built Environment Conference 2025

Blackpool Football Club, Blackpool, FY1 6HX

08:30 - 13:00

CMI Level 5 Management and Leadership Course
UCLanAerialCampus.jpg.jpg
LBV Hub Seminars
21 Feb 2025 - 21 Feb 2026

CMI Level 5 Management and Leadership Course

Preston Campus, Preston , PR1 2HE

09:00 - 17:00

CMI Level 5 Project Management Course
UCLanAerialCampus.jpg.jpg
LBV Hub Seminars
21 Feb 2025 - 21 Feb 2026

CMI Level 5 Project Management Course

Preston Campus, Preston, PR1 2HE

08:00 - 17:00

Shaping Preston's future by remembering its past
1750160034867.png.png
LBV Hub Networking
16 Jul 2025 - 16 Jul 2025

Shaping Preston's future by remembering its past

Society1, Coworking Space, Preston, PR1 3LT

18:00 - 20:30

The Business Network Central & East Lancashire
LBV Hub Networking
17 Jul 2025 - 17 Jul 2025

The Business Network Central & East Lancashire

Mytton Fold, Langho, BB6 8AB

11:30 - 14:15

Chamber Summer BBQ
LBV Hub Social
17 Jul 2025 - 17 Jul 2025

Chamber Summer BBQ

The Borough, Dalton Square, Lancaster, LA1 1PP

17:30 - 20:00

BNI presents Lancashire Speed Networking
1.png.png
LBV Hub Networking
17 Jul 2025 - 17 Jul 2025

BNI presents Lancashire Speed Networking

Chorley Football Club, Chorley, PR7 3DU

16:00 - 19:00

Preston Tech Connection: Web3 is Dead. Or is It?
July Longer Banner.jpg.jpg
LBV Hub Networking
29 Jul 2025 - 29 Jul 2025

Preston Tech Connection: Web3 is Dead. Or is It?

Society1, Coworking Space, Preston, PR1 3LT

18:00 - 19:30

Preston Freelancer Meet-Up: July
Longer July Banner.jpg.jpg
LBV Hub Networking
31 Jul 2025 - 31 Jul 2025

Preston Freelancer Meet-Up: July

Society1, Coworking Space, Preston, PR1 3LT

10:00 - 11:30

Advantage: AI – A Workshop for Business Leaders – August 14th
Navy--Event Tile.png.png
LBV Hub Seminars
14 Aug 2025 - 14 Aug 2025

Advantage: AI – A Workshop for Business Leaders – August 14th

Door4 Office, Burnley Wharf, Burnley, BB11 1JG

09:00 - 12:00

The Business Network Central & East Lancashire
LBV Header (24).png.png
LBV Hub Networking
21 Aug 2025 - 21 Aug 2025

The Business Network Central & East Lancashire

Mytton Fold, Langho, BB6 8AB

11:30 - 14:15

Advertise with us

Reaching 50,000 members, our print, digital and event platforms offer a fantastic way to raise your business profile and help you grow.

Find out more LBV122 Online Graphic
Subscribe now

Weekly news bulletin