Wales is home to one of the UK's most well established bioscience clusters. With its longstanding reputation for scientific and academic excellence, over 250 companies have chosen Wales as their base with the sector already employing over 15,000 people.
Many of the medical device and diagnostic firms are clustered along the M4 corridor and in and around Wrexham and Deeside. There are always a number of factors that contribute to the development of a med-tech cluster. The proximity of a stimulating academic and research environment and the availability of a skilled labour force are essential. In many cases, a commitment at the public level, manifested by targeted support and a sound infrastructure, is necessary.
While all of these elements are present in Wales, a spirit of convergence, as much as anything else, has contributed to the emergence of a successful bioscience cluster. The cluster in Wales comprises links between organisations of all sizes, from small local companies to the multinational bioscience companies who rely on their services. Therefore sector breadth and capability is broad: blue chip players, GE Healthcare, Huntleigh Diagnostics and Bayer, rub shoulders with niche companies like Q-Chip and Zoobiotic.
The Welsh bioscience cluster has trading and academic partnerships with organisations throughout Europe and beyond, where demand for Welsh bioscience expertise and products is set to grow substantially over the next decade. The continued success of the sector has been built upon the links between renowned academic institutes such as Cardiff University and indigenous companies in the sector. In addition, Wales also boasts a strong and stable skills base, purpose built infrastructure and a firm commitment to the sector by the Welsh Assembly Government.
