PetMedix and Mission take new life sciences space

Cambridge life sciences pioneers PetMedix and Mission Therapeutics have agreed to take half the space at BioMed Realty’s new £42 million flagship research development at Babraham Research Campus.

The buildings are set to open in April 2020. The fresh 100,000 sq ft of space is part of a joint initiative announced in October 2017 by BioMed Realty and Babraham Research Campus.

The aim is to create research space for growing bioscience-based companies seeking to scale their operations.

BioMed@Babraham encompasses two adjacent buildings and the new facilities will provide a corporate campus feel to further promote innovation and strengthen links between academia and the commercial world. This project represents a £42 million investment in the campus by BioMed Realty.

Colleen O’Connor, BioMed Realty’s senior director for the UK market commented: “The Babraham Research Campus has been at the forefront of supporting scale-ups. BioMed@Babraham furthers this effort and offers growing life science companies access to first-class fitted lab and office space within the thriving Babraham Research Campus, which is already home to over 60 research organisations.

“We are excited to be moving forward on final fit-out construction for all suites, with tenants occupying as early as April 2020.”

Dr Tom Weaver, CEO of PetMedix™ said: “One of the real strengths of Cambridge for the biotech industry is its ability to both attract large companies and foster the growth of new ones.

“The ecosystem of academic research, thriving companies and a highly skilled talent pool make it a perfect place to start and build a company.

“This success can make it challenging for companies like ours to secure the necessary space to grow in the current competitive commercial environment.

“PetMedix is entering a growth and expansion phase as we look to bring the power of antibody therapeutics to animal health, and this comes with a need to scale our physical footprint.”

BioMed Realty entered the Cambridge UK market with the acquisition of Granta Park in 2012. The Babraham Research Campus project will bring BioMed Realty’s total presence in Cambridge to almost 900,000 square feet.