Newcastle Laboratory will provide over 70,000 sq ft for the life sciences and healthcare sector designed by Aura alongside architects Ryder.
Firms are presently being shortlisted for bidding with prequals expected to close later this month.
Nick Forbes, Leader of Newcastle City Council said: “Science Central is already home to three national research centres.
“This new facility will help accelerate the pace of growth in this sector, and create the next generation of highly skilled jobs in the region.”
Building work is expected to start on site in early 2017 to allow the facility to be up and running by spring 2018.
The first building at the site known as The Core has now opened and Bowmer & Kirkland is constructing a second Urban Sciences Building for completion in September 2017.
Newcastle Laboratory is being funded by Newcastle City Council and the North East LEP as part of the North East Growth Deal from Government.
A decision is also expected on funding from the European Regional Development Fund as part of the European Structural and Investment Funds Growth Programme 2014-2020.
