New super lab built for strategy

Phase one of a new pharmaceutical testing facility has been completed in Scotland. Part-funded by Scottish Enterprise, Edinburgh and Lothian for Tepnel Life Sciences, an international molecular diagnostics and research products and services group, the new state-of-the-art laboratory in Livingstone was designed by Atkins, and will accommodate the company’s analytical chemistry, bioanalysis and microbiology facilities.

Construction of the development by contractors Thermal Transfer took a little over one year and operations are scheduled to begin this month, with 47 staff being relocated from Tepnel’s Edinburgh and Glasgow operations. The company will initially occupy 14,000 sq ft with phase two development of the remaining 4000 sq ft, which will house the group’s genotyping, whole genome amplification, sequencing and gene expression services, beginning in September.

Tepnel’s Chief Executive Officer Ben Matzilevioch said: “Our new laboratories have been built on time and to budget. The facility is an important component of our long-term strategy that will allow Tepnel to extend its market presence in the fast-growing medicines sector. Continuity of service to Tepnel’s customers will be maintained throughout the transition to the new location.”