SCY and Bionow are delighted to announce the creation of a partnership to help bioscience businesses in Yorkshire gain access to the best value life-science business support offering in the UK. Commenced in July 2011 and already bringing benefit to over 150 subscribing members the Bionow membership scheme offers significant bottom line savings in specialist procurement, recruitment, insurance and regulatory support plus specialist events (both local and national) and access into a large vibrant network of businesses, Universities and NHS organisations. Working in partnership, SCY and Bionow will link bioscience businesses in Yorkshire with the fastest growing membership organisation of its type in the UK. By joining this vibrant joined up network, businesses across the North will:• have access to a larger, more diverse group of companies and organisations thereby driving increased interaction and business growth.• be recognised as part of a vibrant cluster with the critical mass to attract greater national and international recognition.• have access to a calendar of specialist events across the North of England, providing opportunities to gain access to expertise, business opportunities and funding.• enhance their ability to attract investment and through networking with experienced entrepreneurs gain access to the talent critical to drive their success.• gain access to the benefits of the largest life-science group purchasing scheme in the UK via our partnership with One Nucleus.The North of England is one of the UK's and Europe's largest biomedical regions; 30% of all the UK’s biomedical businesses are in the North. The region comprises over 1000 life science and healthcare companies, generating turnover of £10.5bn and employment for 38,000 people. The area is home to the N8 Universities Research Partnership and boasts world-leading resources in terms of investment, scientific expertise, academic research, science graduates, NHS hospitals and state of the art manufacturing facilities.SCY has been at the centre of Yorkshire’s thriving bio-based economy since 1998. A key champion of all growth sectors, in addition to business and innovation services, SCY has levered over £23 million investment to support business growth across the region.Professor Nicola Spence, SCY Chief Executive, said “Yorkshire has a thriving cluster of bioscience businesses, many of which have worked closely with SCY over many years. This new partnership with Bionow gives all bioscience businesses the opportunity to engage nationally and to benefit from being part of a large network. SCY will continue to deliver local events and networking, in partnership with Bionow.”This partnership will extend the highly successful nationally recognised Bionow membership scheme further across the North of England. The membership scheme has grown rapidly since July 2011 to cover over 150 companies and is widely acknowledged as one of the best value life science business support offerings in the UK, providing a range of benefits specially designed for the sector. Membership is applicable to companies within the North as well as those across the UK and beyond who would like to make connections into this vibrant and important cluster.Geoff Davison, CEO of Bionow said “I am delighted to be able to announce this important strategic partnership and look forward to working closely with SCY. It is important for the growth of the biomedical cluster across the North and for the UK economy that relevant companies in Yorkshire are able to effectively engage with other relevant businesses, funders and expertise across the North and beyond. We will enable this by providing access to our purchasing solutions, specialist expertise and by delivering regular specialist events both in Yorkshire and also national events across the North. The aims and objectives of companies in the Northeast, the Northwest and Yorkshire are entirely complementary and we are stronger working together.” www.bionow.co.uk www.scy.co.uk Ends. For more information, please contact Helen Williams: helen.williams@bionow.co.uk / 07714 168020 or visit www.bionow.co.uk Notes to editors:SCY – Creating value through innovationSCY is a leading provider of business and innovation services, with the specialist capability to drive growth and prosperity:• Providing solutions to critical business issues• Helping to develop new markets, products & processes• Accelerating access to valuable knowledge and expertise • Improving overall business performanceSCY Enterprise Ltd is a trading subsidiary of Science City York which is supported by City of York Council, the University of York and York St John University.Contact:T +44 (0)1904 21 71 01 ? E services@scy.co.uk www.scy.co.ukOffices: The Ron Cooke Hub, Heslington, York, YO10 5GEBionow:Bionow is the trading name of The Centre of Excellence for Life Science (Cels) Ltd formed through a merger of Cels Ltd and Bionow Ltd in June 2012 is a not-for-profit Company Limited by Guarantee and is the leading membership organisation for the biomedical / life sciences industry in the North of England. With over 150 subscribing members Bionow offers a range of specialist business support products and services including events, training, recruitment, procurement savings and other specialist services such as economic development consultancy. All are aimed at enabling the potential of biomedical businesses and making them more competitive by providing significant bottom line cost reductions.Contact:T 07714 168020 E info@bionow.co.uk www.bionow.co.uk