Professor Michael Wakelam, centre, director of the Babraham Institute, with MEP Vicky Ford and Health Secretary Andrew Lansley.

Health Secretary and MP for South Cambridgeshire Andrew Lansley has visited the Babraham Research Campus, along with MEP Vicky Ford.

Their aim was to see how the £44 million Government funding boost for the campus – announced in the Budget – will contribute to economic growth for the life sciences industry and the region.

“It is wonderful to see first hand the excellent work that is done here at the Babraham Research Campus in south Cambridgeshire,” said Mr Lansley.

“This significant £44 million boost from the Government will help to foster new research and create new jobs in our region, putting Babraham firmly at the forefront of world-class biomedical and life-sciences research.”

Construction of a fifth bioincubator building on the campus is expected to start later this month – providing a further 20,000 sq ft of flexible laboratory and office space as 30 lettable units.

“I was extremely impressed by what I saw and learnt at Babraham,” said Mrs Ford. “Here the UK is investing in our world-leading research capacity.

“The benefits not only support science and economic growth but also develop an understanding of medical conditions and diseases which we all hope will lead to better treatments in the future.”