Abcam moves to new purpose-built global headquarters

Abcam, a global innovator in life science reagents and tools, is pleased to announce its move to new state-of-the-art global headquarters, Discovery Drive, on the Cambridge Biomedical Campus (CBC), UK, a leading hub of healthcare, science and medical research.

Alan Hirzel, CEO, Abcam, commented:

“Abcam has been working for 20 years providing biological reagents and tools to help our customers accelerate research, and develop diagnostics and therapeutics that could revolutionise healthcare outcomes. Moving to Discovery Drive is integral to our mission to best serve the global life science community.”

With sites across the US, Europe and Asia in the world’s leading life science research hubs, Abcam’s move to Discovery Drive will combine three existing UK sites. Bringing all employees together, including R&D, laboratory, logistics, corporate and commercial functions, will facilitate open collaboration between teams to improve efficiency and innovation.

To support the Company’s continued growth, the new building provides 75% more space, features fully flexible laboratory configurations, and has new instrumentation and technology for enhanced scientific capabilities. It has also been designed to support agile working and provide introvert and extrovert workspaces. In addition, the building has been developed to meet global sustainability standards, help protect the natural environment and enhance employee wellbeing.

Cambridge Biomedical Campus is being expanded by 90 acres through a joint development partnership between Liberty Property Trust and Countryside Properties. 2.3 million sq ft of space for the first phase of expansion has already been allocated to support the growth of AstraZeneca, Cambridge University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, The University of Cambridge, the Medical Research Council’s Laboratory of Molecular Biology and New Royal Papworth Hospital.

Abcam is the first organisation to locate to the campus as part of the second phase of its expansion, having taken 100,000sq ft of the 807,000sq ft of clinical and B1(b) research and development space available in phase two.

Andrew Blevins, managing director of Liberty Property Trust, said: “Abcam’s approach to innovation and collaboration makes it a perfect addition to the vibrant life sciences community at Cambridge Biomedical Campus, where breakthrough ideas can transition from the researcher’s bench to the patient’s bedside all on the same site. We are continuing to work to ensure this unique mix of world-class academics, businesses and clinicians can grow and thrive, providing the bespoke facilities and jobs needed to make CBC and the UK life sciences sector a global leader in healthcare research.”