A WORLD-RENOWNED Oxfordshire science campus has been awarded the status ‘Life Sciences Opportunity Zone’.

Harwell Science and innovation Campus has been designated the status for its 'pioneering work and thriving ecosystem'.

Harwell Campus is now one of only seven locations in the UK to hold the government-awarded title.

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The announcement highlights the role of the campus as a national hub for health and life sciences research.

The Government will now work with Harwell to attract inward and foreign investment, establish trade agreements and promote the campus as a world-leading location for companies to establish themselves.

Dr Adrian Hill from the HealthTec Cluster at Harwell said: “The campus continues to evolve in order to meet the nation’s technological and health challenges.

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“The Life Sciences Opportunity Zone designation will be a key driver for future growth in Oxfordshire and along the M4 corridor, creating jobs and contributing to UK GDP.

“I’d like to thank all our partners who worked with us over the past three years to build the reputation of the HeathTec Cluster and helped secure the designation.”