21 Sep 2020
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Cambridge life sciences companies are set for a new windfall of investment from China through a new alliance brokered by AstraZeneca and Cambridge Judge Business School.
China Medical System (CMS), a speciality pharmaceutical company listed on the Hong Kong Stock Exchange, has signalled its confidence in the UK biotech and life sciences sectors through intended investment in early stage technology emanating from the sector alongside the Cambridge power players.
CMS is recognising the vibrancy and the vitality of the UK biotech and life sciences ecosystem through financing a programme office based in Cambridge to invest (off balance sheet) up to £25 million in sector relevant startups over the next five year. Since 2015, AstraZeneca has played a game changing role in mentoring biotech and life sciences researchers and innovators and has collaborated with Cambridge Judge Business School on various programmes to promote enterprise and support entrepreneurship amongst life sciences researchers and students.
In the last four years, Cambridge Judge and AstraZeneca have supported around 250 life science innovators and 40 life sciences startups through workshops, training, and mentoring.
Through this new collaboration agreement, CMS, AstraZeneca and Cambridge Judge demonstrate a common objective of strengthening the pipeline of opportunities in biotech and life sciences, more specifically in the areas of therapeutics, diagnostics, devices and digital health.
The initiative aims to bridge a gap in funding for early stage biotech and life sciences ventures in the UK, and provide relevant companies with greater access to international markets in particular China.
