Company Directory

Human tissue research CRO supporting preclinical drug discovery

Pharmagene Discovery Services is a UK contract research organisation specialising in laboratory-based research services using consented human tissue and primary human cells. The company provides tailored assay design and development across target expression, spatial biology, functional cellular biology, bioassays, and biotherapeutic safety testing. Operating under GLP conditions and licensed by the UK Human Tissue Authority, Pharmagene maintains an in-house human tissue biorepository and offers sample processing and biostorage services to biopharma clients globally.

Cell-based quality control materials for immunohistochemistry and ISH

HistoCyte Laboratories is a developer and manufacturer of cell-based quality control materials for immunohistochemistry and in situ hybridisation. Its products use proprietary cell line processing technology to produce formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded control slides and blocks with reproducible, well-characterised biomarker expression for targets including HER2, ER and PR. The company serves diagnostic laboratories, biotech and pharmaceutical companies, and offers contract services including custom cell line development and biomarker assessment.

UK manufacturer of microtomes, cryostats and tissue sectioning equipment

Bright Instruments is a Huntingdon-based manufacturer and supplier of laboratory sectioning and cryogenic equipment. Its product range includes rotary microtomes, cryostats, sledge microtomes, freezing units and associated accessories used in histopathology, pathology, life science research and industrial testing. Instruments are designed and assembled in the UK and can be customised to customer requirements. Bright Instruments supplies universities, hospitals and research institutions globally.

Ex vivo human skin models for pharmaceutical and cosmetic testing

Ten Bio is a contract research organisation providing ex vivo human skin research services to pharmaceutical, cosmetic, and medical device companies. Its patented platform mechanically tensions surgically sourced human skin to replicate the mechanobiology of intact living tissue, maintaining viability for up to two weeks. Applications include topical drug delivery, transdermal absorption, wound healing, aesthetic treatments, and pre-clinical safety testing, offering a human-relevant alternative to animal models.

Laboratory information systems and digital pathology software

Cirdan is a medical software company developing laboratory information systems and digital pathology solutions for clinical laboratories and pathology departments. Its integrated platform streamlines laboratory workflows, supports multi-site operations, and applies AI and data analytics to accelerate patient diagnosis. Complementary products include gross specimen imaging systems and intraoperative x-ray solutions for cancer diagnosis. The company has deployed its systems across more than 100 laboratories on six continents.

NHS-embedded specialist pathology services and clinical biobank access

Novopath is the commercial pathology laboratory of Newcastle upon Tyne Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, providing specialist tissue-based diagnostic and research services to biopharma, biotech, and academic clients. Services include histopathology, immunohistochemistry, tissue microarray construction, digital pathology, biomarker discovery, and clinical trial support. An HTA-licensed biobank of over three million archived clinical samples is available for research, evaluation, and diagnostic validation activities, with prospective sample collection offered to meet specific project needs.

AI-powered digital pathology laboratory services for rapid cancer diagnosis

Inify Laboratories is a digital pathology company providing cancer diagnostic services through a fully digital, AI-supported laboratory workflow. The company processes tissue biopsy samples, generating whole slide images that are analysed by its proprietary AI software before review and reporting by specialist pathologists. Initially focused on prostate cancer, Inify is expanding into gastrointestinal diagnostics. The UK laboratory replicates the company's established Swedish operation, aiming to reduce diagnostic turnaround times and support NHS pathology capacity.

AI-powered stain-free digital pathology for liver fibrosis quantification

HistoIndex is a contract digital pathology organisation providing quantitative histology services for clinical trials and diagnostics, with a primary focus on liver fibrosis in metabolic liver disease. Its platform combines stain-free microscopy with artificial intelligence to generate objective, reproducible fibrosis measurements from liver biopsy tissue, serving as endpoints in pharmaceutical clinical trials for metabolic liver conditions. The company has analysed over 10,000 patient samples from major clinical trials globally.

Specialist histology and immunohistochemistry CRO

HistologiX is a GLP and GCP accredited contract research organisation specialising in tissue-based biomarker analysis for the pharmaceutical and biotechnology industries. The company provides histology, immunohistochemistry, immunofluorescence, and digital pathology services across preclinical toxicology, regulatory studies, and clinical trials. Its capabilities include tissue cross-reactivity assays, biomarker assay development, and quantitative image analysis. HistologiX is ISO 9001:2015 certified and MHRA inspected, and serves clients ranging from large pharma to early-stage biotechs.

Contract laboratory services in genomics and histopathology

Source BioScience is a contract laboratory services group providing genomics, histopathology, and stability storage services to the pharmaceutical, biotechnology, NHS, and academic sectors. Operating through two divisions, Source Genomics delivers multi-omic sequencing services and Source LDPath provides cellular and digital pathology services to NHS trusts and private healthcare providers. Stability storage services offer ICH-compliant temperature and humidity-controlled environments for shelf-life testing of drug products, medical devices, and biologics.

Contract microscopy imaging and analysis services for life sciences

Nikon BioImaging Lab is a contract research organisation based at the Babraham Research Campus in Cambridge, providing microscope-based imaging and analysis services to biotech and pharmaceutical clients. Services span sample imaging, high-content acquisition, AI-powered data analysis using Nikon's NIS Elements software, and assay development support. The lab is part of a global network of Nikon BioImaging Labs operated by Nikon Europe B.V., with the Cambridge site serving as the UK node of the European hub.

Preclinical DMPK, bioanalysis and toxicology CRO

Pharmidex is a UK contract research organisation providing preclinical drug discovery and development services across DMPK, bioanalysis, toxicology, histology and in vitro ADME. Operating under GLP and GCP accreditation from its Hatfield facility, the company supports programmes in oncology, CNS, respiratory and metabolic disease. Pharmidex serves over 250 clients globally including pharmaceutical companies, biotechnology organisations, academic institutions and medical charities, and has conducted over 16,000 studies since its founding.