Anglia Ruskin announces medical technology campuses
Proposals to create three sites in Essex to encourage companies in the medical technology sector into the county have been announced.
The Anglia Ruskin MedTech Campus would see sites in Harlow, Chelmsford and Southend in a partnership between the university and local councils.
It is predicted they could create up to 12,500 jobs and add £1.2bn to the UK's medical technology sector.
It is hoped £500m of private funding will be sourced to pay for the project.
The plans aim to attract companies from the UK and overseas involved in areas of medical research, testing, manufacturing and clinical trials into one space.
They would then work together with researchers at the university and medical professionals to "provide one of the world's largest health innovation spaces".
About 120 acres (48 hectares) of land have been identified at the three sites.
Professor Michael Thorne, Anglia Ruskin vice chancellor, believes the plans will give the county "a worldwide brand" within the medical technology sector.
He estimates the industry is worth £170bn per year.
The plans were announced at Westminster by Health Secretary Earl Howe.