York Biotech Campus celebrates 30 years of discovery

York Biotech Campus (YBC) has grown from a government research facility into one of the north’s most prominent biotechnology hubs, now employing around 1,000 people.

The 80-acre site at Sand Hutton hosts organisations working in agri-tech, environmental science, healthcare, diagnostics, and advanced manufacturing, including Labcorp, Abingdon Health, and Cargill Bioindustrial.

Liz Cashon, estates manager at York Biotech Campus, said: “For 30 years, the campus has been supporting science that makes a real difference to people’s lives.

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“While the site has evolved significantly, from a government research facility to a thriving biotechnology hub, our purpose remains the same and that’s creating an environment where innovation can flourish.

“We’re incredibly proud of what has been achieved here and excited about the opportunities ahead as Yorkshire and the North continue to strengthen their position as centres of scientific excellence.”

Established in 1996 as part of a government initiative to strengthen the UK’s scientific research capabilities beyond Cambridge, YBC has achieved several key milestones in its three-decade history.

These include the formation of the Food and Environment Research Agency in 2009, its transition to Fera Science Limited in 2015, the arrival of Labcorp in 2017, and a rebrand to York Biotech Campus in 2020.

The campus has played a pivotal role in supporting scientific advancements addressing national priorities, from managing animal disease outbreaks and food safety crises to helping scale the production of COVID-19 lateral flow tests.

Tenants have also delivered globally significant innovations, including the world’s first saliva-based pregnancy test developed by Abingdon Health and Labskin Limited’s commercial launch of human skin equivalents representing different ethnicities.

Investment in specialist facilities has continued to drive progress at the campus.

In 2018, Fera Science Limited, in partnership with the Centre for Crop Health and Protection (CHAP) and supported by Innovate UK, launched Europe’s first fully flow-through, edge-of-field waterbody safety assessment facility, the E-Flows Mesocosm.

Fera also opened a dedicated Insect Research Laboratory, converting a 2,000 sq ft storage unit into a state-of-the-art facility through a £1 million investment.

Between 2016 and 2021, the campus undertook a £10 million improvement programme to upgrade infrastructure and support long-term growth.

York Biotech Campus continues to attract investment and talent, reinforcing its role as a cornerstone of Yorkshire’s growing reputation in bioscience and innovation.

More information about the campus and its work can be found at yorkbiotechcampus.com.