MORE than 20 businesses have taken advantage of a centre linking them with university biology experts.

The role of the Bioscience Business Centre at the University of York is to work with external organisations, giving them greater access to facilities and expertise in the university’s Department of Biology.

So far, 26 commercial organisations and governmental agencies have used the centre during its first year.

Initial discussions at the centre have led to collaborative projects or fee-for-service work.

One user, Dr Dan Pettit, of Avecia Biologics, a bio-processing and manufacturing organisation based in Billingham, said: “The business centre provided an ideal forum for formal strategic discussions.”

Created as part of the Science City York Hub and Spoke project, the centre is funded through the Northern Way Initiative supported by Yorkshire Forward.