Scores of nutty professors and laboratory whizz kids came together for the launch of a new network of scientific companies, aimed to link Kent firms with global players.

BioGateway was launched at Discovery Park on Tuesday to forge a link between life science businesses developing the next generation of health-related technology.

The group is a response to the changing nature of the sector, where small companies tend to undertake research and development, rather than multinationals, who traditionally did this in the past.

Investors, academics and local government joined the 40 founding businesses which make up the group, which was conceived by Locate in Kent and Kent County Council.

Simon Westbrook, acting chairman for BioGateway and chief executive of Sandwich-based pain-relief developer Levicept, said: “Over the last two years, there has been unprecedented growth in the number of companies moving into the region, with Kent becoming one of the fastest growing centres for the life sciences in the UK.

“As a consequence, Kent found itself hosting a major life science cluster without all of the benefits of an interactive and effective network. BioGateway was founded to create a focus for this vibrant community.”

Kent is home to 150 life science companies employing more than 6,800 people.

Alex Watson, chief operating officer of BioGateway, said “We aim to become the most complete life science network in Europe, supporting its members by facilitating partnering with other companies within Kent and throughout the UK and Europe.”