The Wellcome Genome Campus has established a Science and Technology Advisory Group (STAG) as part of plans to expand its role in genomics, biodata and AI-driven health innovation.

The advisory group will help shape the scientific and technological direction of the Campus as it embarks on a major expansion designed to support research, translation and commercial activity across the life sciences sector.

Already home to the Wellcome Sanger Institute and the European Molecular Biology Laboratory’s European Bioinformatics Institute (EMBL-EBI), the Campus is positioning itself as a centre for genomics and computational biology. The forthcoming addition of the Health Data Research Service (HDRS) will further strengthen its health data infrastructure capabilities.

The expansion will see the Campus grow from 125 acres to 440 acres, with plans to accommodate around 250 companies engaged in research, translational development and commercial activities. The first phase of the development is expected to be completed by 2028 and is being funded by Wellcome as part of its investment portfolio.

The newly formed STAG brings together leaders from academia, healthcare, technology and the life sciences industry to help develop a strategy centred on combining omics, biodata and artificial intelligence to advance healthcare innovation.

Members include representatives from IBM Consulting, Novartis, Genentech Research and Early Development, EMBL-EBI, the Wellcome Sanger Institute, HDRS and Wellcome.

Robert Evans, chief executive officer of Wellcome Genome Campus, said: “Our expansion is about creating the right conditions for our science and technology community to thrive. The Science & Technology Advisory Group is helping us to set a clear direction for our future, foster collaboration, commerciality, talent attraction and retention and ensure we continue to grow as a world-class destination.”

The advisory group is chaired by Dr Nicole Mather, UKI and EMEA lead for life sciences at IBM Consulting. The group will provide guidance on scientific priorities, infrastructure requirements and future opportunities for organisations locating on the Campus.

Mather said: “The Wellcome Genome Campus is uniquely positioned to shape the future of a key frontier field: how we combine omics, data and AI to transform health and care for people globally. The Science & Technology Advisory Group will create a strategy that builds on the Campus’ pedigree and strengths to grasp the many opportunities now emerging.”

The Campus said the initiative forms part of one of Europe’s largest life sciences infrastructure projects and is intended to strengthen the Greater Cambridge ecosystem’s position as a global centre for genomics, health data and AI-enabled research.

As the Campus continues to expand, the advisory group is expected to play a key role in shaping how emerging technologies are integrated across research, healthcare and commercial development activities.