MMI attracts new business for 'biobabies'

Medical Marketing International, a Cambridge, UK-based biopharmaceutical development company focussed on cancer, AIDS and 'superbugs' has reached an exclusive agreement with Corbett Research, an Australian Biotechnology company at the forefront of the development of genetic analysis laboratory equipment, to supply its systems to MMI's LabHotel.

LabHotel has a unique business model as it provides fledgling biotechnology companies based at MMI's Bioscience Innovation Centre (BIC) in Cambridge, UK, access to sophisticated equipment managed to industrial standards on a short-term rental basis rather than incurring capital costs. LabHotel already contains laboratories dedicated to tissue culture, microbiology and protein purification services with further services in the pipeline.

David Best, Chairman of MMI, explained: 'We are delighted that another leader, Corbett Research is supporting our LabHotel. The capital cost of equipment is often prohibitive resulting in emerging biotech companies being unable to generate quality data that will satisfy themselves, potential partners and investors. MMI's LabHotel solves this problem by enabling the manufacturers of world-class equipment to install their systems in a professionally managed purpose-built centre. Through this innovative service we believe that we will increase occupancy as well as fee levels and create greater opportunities for MMI to take advantage of investing in these exciting businesses as well as providing essential facilities for our in-house biobabies. Our goal is that LabHotel becomes the centre of excellence for biotechnology.'

John Corbett, Director of Corbett Research commented: 'This innovative approach provides excellent opportunities for start-up companies wanting proof of principle. The Lab Hotel is the ideal venue for us as an organisation to showcase our latest equipment and to work with emerging companies to help them develop new technologies.'