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Launch of the Gauteng BioPark at The Innovation Hub

The Innovation Hub is pleased to announce the completion of phase one of its BioPark@Gauteng facility.

Pretoria, 14 Oct 2014

The Innovation Hub Management Company (TIHMC), eGoliBIO Life Sciences Incubator, Gauteng Department of Agriculture and Rural Development (GDARD), Gauteng Department of Economic Development (GDED), and the Gauteng Growth and Development Agency, have been collaborating on the establishment of a Gauteng Biosciences Park (BioPark). In 2011, on the basis of a feasibility study completed in 2009, the Provincial Cabinet resolved that there was a need for a business plan for the establishment of the BioPark at The Innovation Hub.

The business plan anticipated the establishment of the BioPark at The Innovation Hub precinct in Pretoria East, Lynnwood, a strategic location between the CSIR and University of Pretoria, which forms a knowledge axis with other science entities such as the National Research Foundation and the Department of Science and Technology.

The BioPark covers three main pillars of this industry, namely health, agriculture, industry and the environment. It seeks to agglomerate companies of all sizes to collaborate in development, innovation and commercialisation of innovations emanating from the country. This agglomeration would essentially support multi-helix collaboration (government, public research and industry collaboration) vital for innovation and global competitiveness.

The strategic focus areas of the BioPark are to:

* Implement the Gauteng Biotechnology Strategy as well as the 2013 South Africa Bioeconomy Strategy.
* Position Gauteng as the gateway of agro-processed products to the rest of Africa and the world.
* Expand local and export supply of biosciences products and services for economic growth and job creation.
* Accelerate the agglomeration of biosciences at small to medium enterprises and big business in Gauteng.
* Strengthen Tshwane as an anchor for the biosciences cluster in Gauteng.
* Provide strategic economic infrastructure to facilitate the biosciences cluster development and collaboration by multiple helix partners (government, industry, academia, research).

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Gauteng Growth and Development Agency

The Gauteng Growth and Development Agency (GGDA) is an agency and implementation arm of the Gauteng Department of Economic Development (GDED). The GGDA assists the GDED in facilitating and promoting sustainable job creation, economic growth and development in the Gauteng City region. For more information on the GGDA, please contact Jeanny Morulane, Group Executive: Strategic Marketing and Promotions, on (+27 082 389 2420

The Innovation Hub

The Innovation Hub, a subsidiary of the GGDA, is Africa's first internationally accredited science park and is a full member of the International Association of Science Parks. It is strategically located in Tshwane, South Africa's executive capital in the 'smart' province of Gauteng. As the leading knowledge-intensive business cluster in South Africa, The Innovation Hub implements initiatives identified in the Gauteng Innovation Strategy and Green Economy Strategy to advance the economic development and growth of the province through innovation.

Editorial contacts

Keatlaretse Masike
The Innovation Hub
(012) 844 0060
kmasike@theinnovationhub.com