UK Health Secretary officially opens flagship Health Innovation Hub
Published: 6 March 2026
New life sciences hub has been developed by Kadans Science Partner in collaboration with the University of Glasgow’s Living Laboratory for Precision Medicine.
Glasgow’s newest purpose-built life sciences laboratory facility, the Health Innovation Hub (HiH), has been officially opened by Wes Streeting, Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, marking a major milestone for Scotland’s life sciences and the healthcare innovation ecosystem in Glasgow City Region.
Developed and operated by Kadans Science Partner, in collaboration with the University of Glasgow’s Living Laboratory for Precision Medicine, the 87,000 sq ft Health Innovation Hub represents a flagship investment to accelerate the growth of precision medicine and digital health companies.
With investment from Kadans Science Partner and £18.8m support from UK Research and Innovation’s Strength in Places Fund and strategically located beside the Queen Elizabeth University Hospital, the facility has transformed a former brownfield site within the Glasgow Riverside Innovation District (GRID) into a world-class destination for research, innovation and collaboration.
HiH enables companies to embed directly within Glasgow’s established Clinical Innovation Zone, accelerating the translation of cutting-edge research into real-world clinical impact. The facility further strengthens the city's healthcare innovation ecosystem, supporting collaboration across industry, academia, the NHS, and the local community to deliver long-term economic, health and societal benefits.
The Health Innovation Hub is already demonstrating strong momentum ahead of opening and the building is now more than 70% let. It is home to the Digital Health Validation Lab (DHVL), a partnership between the University of Glasgow and NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde, alongside high-growth occupiers including pioneering digital chemistry company Chemify, global clinical trials specialist Panthera and biotechnology company Genetix Research Ltd.
The project was initiated following provision of grant funding from the Glasgow City Region City Deal. Funding was used to support preparation of the application for UKRI funding and to meet early costs associated with technical reports, professional fees and statutory consents. Glasgow City Region City Deal will see both the Scottish and UK Governments each provide £500million of funding for infrastructure projects across the city-region.
Speaking at the opening of the new innovation hub yesterday morning, Wes Streeting, Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, said: "Our life sciences sector is one of our greatest national assets and facilities like this one are the jewels in the crown.
"We're already leading the way in areas like vaccine development and with the opening of this landmark facility comes the promise that Scotland and Britain will be at the forefront of the precision medicine revolution too.
"The same postcode that powered Britain's industrial past is now powering Britain's scientific future."
Steijn Ribbens, CEO of Kadans Science Partner, said: “It’s great to officially mark the opening of the Health Innovation Hub, a defining moment for Glasgow and Scotland’s life science sector. Our journey with this project started in 2020 with the creation of the partnership between, University of Glasgow, Glasgow City Council, NHS, Scottish Enterprise, UKRI and many more key stakeholders. Without our partners, this building would not be the success that it is.
"The building is the very embodiment of what can be achieved through public and private sector collaboration. Kadans are exceptionally proud to be supporting the amazing science being undertaken by all of the occupiers within HiH. We look forward to seeing how the building drives further collaboration to deliver real world impact for patients.”
Professor Andy Schofield, Principal and Vice-Chancellor of the University of Glasgow, said: “The opening of the Health Innovation Hub marks a major milestone for Glasgow and for the University. As the home of our Digital Health Validation Lab and Living Laboratory for Precision Medicine, the Hub has been designed to accelerate the ideas, discoveries and collaborations that can transform health outcomes.
“What makes this development so significant is the way it brings people together. By co-locating researchers, clinicians, entrepreneurs and our local community beside one of Europe’s largest teaching hospitals, the Hub creates the ideal conditions for breakthroughs to move rapidly from discovery into real-world patient care. This is the kind of collaborative environment that allows innovation to flourish and helps address the major health challenges facing Glasgow, Scotland and the UK.
“We are proud to be working with Kadans Science Partner, with support from Scottish Enterprise and our many public and private partners, to deliver a flagship project for Linthouse and Govan and for the Glasgow Riverside Innovation District. In doing so, we are strengthening Scotland’s position as a global leader in life sciences and digital health, while supporting inclusive growth and regeneration within the city we serve.
“Today marks the beginning of an exciting new chapter, and I am immensely grateful to all those whose vision and commitment have made this possible. I look forward to seeing the impact the Hub will deliver in the months and years ahead.”
Councillor Susan Aitken, Leader of Glasgow City Council: "Glasgow’s life sciences sector is already world-leading and world-changing, and this landmark investment positions us perfectly to scale that to the truly global.
"The Health Innovation Hub brings Glasgow’s new economy into the heart of Govan, attracting skilled and technical jobs into a community with a proud industrial tradition, while creating new career pathways for young people. That’s growth and innovation with inclusion and regeneration at their core."
Designed with flexibility at its core, HiH provides fully serviced laboratories, shared equipment rooms and adaptable office space, supporting organisations from university spinouts to established international businesses.
The building also features a community café, collaboration spaces, and facilities shaped through engagement with local residents, reinforcing Kadans’ and the University’s commitment to developing innovation infrastructure with communities, not just for them.
Achieving BREEAM Excellent certification, the Health Innovation Hub sets a new benchmark for sustainable, future-proof life sciences development in Scotland. By combining specialist infrastructure, clinical proximity and a pan-European innovation network from Kadans, the facility is positioned to accelerate breakthrough science, attract inward investment and deliver lasting benefits for patients, communities and the economy.
Main image - Pictured left to right: Susan Aitken, Leader of Glasgow City Council; Steijn Ribbens, CEO of Kadans Science Partner; Wes Streeting, Secretary of State for Health and Social Care; Professor Andy Schofield, Principal and Vice-Chancellor of the University of Glasgow; and Dr Zubir Ahmed, MP for Glasgow South West.
First published: 6 March 2026