A Leading Research University in Europe

A university knowledge exchange office is the Knowledge Exchange Office of a leading European research university. One of the facilities supported by the office is a premier European bioscience park, which hosts 17,000 employees from 93 biomedical companies and 11 research institutes. As the science park matured, the knowledge exchange office recognised a need to differentiate to maintain and further grow its competitive advantage. They identified an opportunity to focus on the therapeutics sector, developing a rich community resource to support further growth through start-ups and SMEs developing novel therapies.

The university knowledge exchange office engaged Oxford Oracle to provide an independent analysis of international best practice in bioscience parks and produce an actionable strategic report. Oxford Oracle's review included: 1) an assessment of the current state of the therapeutics sector and the specific infrastructure requirements of start-ups and SMEs; and 2) a systematic benchmarking analysis of world-leading bioscience parks, focusing on facilities operating in London and leading European innovation clusters.

Oxford Oracle completed the benchmarking report within a tight timeline, enabling the university knowledge exchange team to incorporate the findings into a strategic memorandum on science park expansion and present it to their board. The board adopted Oxford Oracle's recommendations, proceeding to the next phase of investment and wider community engagement.