The £40 million Bio-therapeutics Hub for Innovation aims to become a focal point for sector ambition and growth.

Plans for the development were submitted by BDP in February last year. The five-storey high building is hoped to have a glass-panelled cafe and work spaces at the main entrance, as well as secure access and car parking at the site.

Once plans were approved, work was originally planned to begin in April before construction had to be delayed due to the COVID-19 crisis.

The initiative is being delivered by economic development body Opportunity North East (ONE) Life Sciences sector board in collaboration with the University of Aberdeen, Robert Gordon University, NHS Grampian and Scottish Enterprise.

The 69,000 sq ft facility will include accommodation for start-ups and established companies, space for collaboration, and shared facilities for events, small conferences and networking.

Prof Stephen Logan, chair of Opportunity North East’s life sciences sector board and BioAberdeen Ltd, the new company formed to deliver BioHub, told the Evening Express: “We have revised the planned start date for the construction of BioHub because of the impact of coronavirus on the construction sector.

“As project lead, ONE is working closely with the project partners in NHS Grampian and University of Aberdeen to agree an updated construction start date and programme.

“We aim to begin work on the Foresterhill Health Campus in the summer with BioHub opening at the end of 2021.”