As part of the MediCity opening celebrations, Boots UK has been recognised by the Royal Society of Chemistry (RSC) with a Chemical Landmark Plaque for the discovery of ibuprofen. 

The development of ibuprofen by Boots UK took place in a number of buildings across Nottingham including the building that BioCity Nottingham is based in now, and the historic D6 building on the Boots site in Beeston. Both buildings will display a Chemical Landmark Plaque for the discovery of ibuprofen. 

The conferring of the RSC Chemical Landmark plaques to Boots UK for display on both D6 building and BioCity Nottinghams' building symbolises the foundations of innovation that are important to both businesses, and is symbolic of the new collaboration to create MediCity.

Professor Dave Garner, a Past President of the RSC, presented blue Chemical Landmark  plaques to commemorate the research and discovery of ibuprofen. He said: "Innovation and scientific discovery are woven into the fabric of Nottingham, as manifested by the range of major developments pioneered by organisations like Boots UK and BioCity.

"This Royal Society of Chemistry blue plaque marks the discovery of ibuprofen by Boots some 50 years ago and the 30th anniversary of ibuprofen becoming the first prescription medicine to be available over-the-counter. The plaque is a fitting tribute to Dr Stewart Adams and his team's original and innovative research. 

"A second plaque will be presented to BioCity for installation at the site of the original laboratory. It is appropriate that these achievements are celebrated as part of the events to mark the launch of MediCity as they provide an effective illustration of an exciting future in prospect."

MediCity, a collaboration between Boots, the UK's leading pharmacy-led health and beauty retailer and BioCity, the UK's leading life sciences incubation company, is a new health, beauty and wellness innovation hub which officially opens for business this week. Guests including experts in health, beauty and wellness technology attended events during MediCity Innovators' Week 18-22 November 2013, with the official opening and Chemical Landmark unveiling taking place on Thursday 21 November 2013. 

Ken Murphy, Managing Director, Health & Beauty International and Brands, Alliance Boots says: "I am delighted to be receiving this plaque from the Royal Chemistry Society in recognition of Boots' long history of innovation, and it is a great honour that Dr Stewart Adams has joined us for this ceremony. We hope that through our collaboration with MediCity we can continue to innovate and bring customers and patients new products, services and technology in the field of health, beauty and wellness."

Dr Glenn Crocker, CEO, BioCity says: "We are honoured that the work developed on our  Pennyfoot Street site by Dr Adams and his team is being recognised in this way with a plaque at BioCity. This is also recognition of the ongoing collaboration between BioCity and Boots UK, of which MediCity is the latest chapter in the story."

MediCity is the first initiative to open on the Boots site within the Nottingham Enterprise Zone. The historic D6 building was where ibuprofen was developed and marketed globally in the 1980s.  It has been refurbished to provide fully serviced office and laboratory space.  Hot desks and 'pods' will provide the ideal working environment for individuals or small teams at the very early stages of developing a business idea. MediCity provides laboratory and office facilities on a flexible basis, access to high-end equipment, shared services, training, business support and access to investment.

During Innovators' Week, visitors will learn more about how companies housed at MediCity will benefit from BioCity's experience of successfully growing businesses in specialised incubator environments and Alliance Boots', of which Boots UK is a member, expertise in the global healthcare sector, including access to innovation and product development knowledge, as well as supply chain expertise.

Dr Stewart Adams talks to Edwin Silvester