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Discovery Park partners with Canterbury Christ Church University to open CoLab, a new coworking labspace for early stage life sciences businesses

June 10, 2024 – Biotechnology, Drug Discovery, Pharmaceutical – Canterbury Christ Church University, CoLab, Discovery Park, early stage life sciences businesses

New space recognises the need for more cost-effective bench space and flexible agreements for startups and spinouts

10 June 2024 — Kent, UK — Discovery Park, Kent’s thriving life sciences community, has opened the doors to CoLab, a new shared lab facility. In partnership with Canterbury Christ Church University, CoLab has been specially designed for early-stage life science businesses, providing flexible bench space in a collaborative coworking environment.

Dr Cornelia Wilson, senior lecturer and Academic Laboratory director at Canterbury Christ Church University, said: “Finding lab space is too often a blocker for promising life sciences spin outs and startups, and CoLab exists to solve this. This specialist lab offers flexible and cost-effective space in a collaborative environment, with a dedicated lab technician onsite to provide expert advice and remove the stress of lab management.”

The three first tenants who have moved in CoLab include:

RS & RS Scientific, who are focused on new innovative molecular strategies in the field of cancer research, aiming to improve understanding and manipulation of complex tumours to pave the way for more effective and personalised cancer therapies
BioFlares, a specialist in bioluminescence imaging tools and solutions to allow complex genetic information to be viewed using bright molecules, with applications in cancer research, gene therapy and stem cell research
Phlow, a start up revolutionising menstrual hygiene management with a biodegradable, non-plastic flushable period pad, using cellulose.

CoLab tenants benefit from being located at Discovery Park, a thriving life sciences community with an on-site Barclays Eagle Lab, giving access to free business mentoring and investor connections. Discovery Park also has an onsite innovation team and its own investment fund, Discovery Park Ventures.

Reza Salimi, co-founder at RS & RS Scientific and CoLab tenant: “We’re excited to join the thriving life sciences and tech hub of Discovery Park. Being based at the CoLab provides us with invaluable opportunities for collaboration and business support. The Discovery Park team members are very supportive, enhancing our experience and helping us grow. The location in Kent also means we are close to both Europe and London, allowing us access to everything we need and to expand into future markets.”

Renos Savva, head of Innovation at Discovery Park, said: “CoLab provides tailored space and resources for emerging life science businesses, but importantly also a network of like-minded innovators. This latest industry-academia partnership with Canterbury Christ Church University demonstrates how Discovery Park provides a community for visionary entrepreneurs and leaders, and the ideal environment for businesses to start, scale and succeed.”

Discovery Park is offering up to six months free membership to CoLab for eligible businesses. With flexible terms, life science businesses can rent a single bench space for up to two people within a state-of-the-art CAT 2 lab, plus access to a write-up desk. CoLab has an experienced lab technician on hand as well as access to a diverse range of specialist equipment, enabling companies to more easily scale and develop without the need for heavy capital investment. CoLab equipment includes microfuges, autoclaves, fume cupboards, incubators, cell culture facilities, protein and DNA electrophoresis.

CoLab companies can also access more extensive or specialist state-of-the-art technology at Canterbury Christ Church University’s main campus in Canterbury, Kent. The University has a team of industry-leading experts to support businesses, from undertaking component analysis to providing a comprehensive package of analytical and technical support. The University has simplified the process for CoLab businesses to access their experts, ensuring rapid delivery, precision and complete confidentiality.

Finding lab space is a key challenge for new life science companies. In London, available lab space makes up less than 25% of current demand, with the capital seeing a 61% increase year-on-year in new company incorporations.

About Discovery Park

Discovery Park is a thriving life science community for visionary entrepreneurs and leaders and the ideal environment for businesses to start, scale and succeed. Discovery Park offers state-of-the-art labs, modern offices and manufacturing facilities, unrivalled flexibility and comprehensive support including access to finance and a strong local talent pool. Within easy reach of London, Discovery Park spearheads Kent’s flourishing science and technology cluster. As an extension of the Golden Triangle, Discovery Park’s location provides access to a wealth of resources and opportunities, coupled with an enviable quality of life. Discovery Park has been a major centre for life science for nearly 70 years and is home to 160+ companies across a growing tenant community of dynamic start-ups through to global corporations. This includes Algaecytes, Canterbury Christ Church University, Concept Life Sciences, eXroid, Genea Biomedx, LGC, Pfizer, Psyros Diagnostics, Salvensis, Viatris, VisusNano and Wren Healthcare. Discover more: www.discovery-park.co.uk

About Canterbury Christ Church University

Canterbury Christ Church University is a major contributor to regional skills and innovation in Kent and Medway. It has a strong track record in education, research and graduate skills and is the number one university in the UK for graduates in employment. The University’s recently opened £65m STEM facilities and £12m creative arts building are helping to generate highly skilled graduates for the region, supporting the regional economy and growth in science, healthcare, and the creative and digital industries.

The University is:

Number one in the UK for graduates in employment (Out of 100 Higher Education Institutions with 3,000 or more graduates, HESA Graduate Outcomes 2023)
A silver award recipient in the Teaching Excellence Framework (TEF) for delivering high-quality teaching, learning and outcomes for its students
Delivering research that has been assessed as world-leading and internationally excellent (REF)
In top 20% of English universities for public and community engagement (KEF)
In top 25 nationally for increasing social mobility.

Visit: www.canterbury.ac.uk.