The 170,000 sq ft Oxford BioEscalator project, designed by architect Make, will be built for the University at it Old Road Campus.

Once completed, it will help more innovative ideas to move out of the lab and into the clinic, helping realise the potential of the world-class research and expertise in Oxford.

The building will also include a public cafe, gym, range of meeting spaces, along with multi-storey car park for 456 cars and a delivery and waste consolidation centre.

The BioEscalator was initiated in response to needs expressed by academic researchers and bioscience companies wanting to engage with the University.

Around £11m of funding has been provided by central government via the City Deal and there will also be a contribution from the University.

Justin Nicholls, Make partner and lead project architect, said: “This new social, cultural and functional hub, incorporating a world-leading innovation centre, will help drive forward discoveries in medical science by providing a focal point for interaction between researchers, clinicians and entrepreneurs, right in the heart of one of the world’s largest medical research facilities.”

“The amenities building is Make’s sixth project for the University of Oxford and is the keystone to an overall masterplan for the site which was approved in 2013.”