Company Directory

Genomic diagnostics products for cytogenetics, oncology and rare disease

Oxford Gene Technology is a genomic diagnostics company developing and manufacturing hybridisation-based reagents and assays for clinical and research laboratories. Its product portfolio spans FISH probes, chromosomal microarrays and next-generation sequencing panels, enabling detection of chromosomal abnormalities and somatic mutations across haematological malignancies, solid tumours, cytogenetics and rare diseases. A FISH probe for KMT2A rearrangement in acute leukaemia received FDA De Novo classification as a companion diagnostic in 2024.

Multiplex qPCR and NGS kits for molecular detection

YouSeq is a UK manufacturer of multiplex Next Generation Sequencing and qPCR kits, panels and reagents. The company offers one of the largest menus of qPCR targets available, covering human infectious diseases, antimicrobial resistance profiling, food and water safety, microbiome analysis, and veterinary diagnostics. Products are supplied as complete, ready-to-use kits compatible with standard laboratory platforms, serving clinical, research, and diagnostic laboratory customers.

Open biological data resources and bioinformatics services for life sciences

EMBL-EBI is the European Bioinformatics Institute, an intergovernmental research organisation and part of the European Molecular Biology Laboratory (EMBL). Located on the Wellcome Genome Campus in Hinxton, it maintains a suite of freely available molecular biology databases including UniProt, Ensembl, Expression Atlas and the Single Cell Expression Atlas. EMBL-EBI also conducts computational research, delivers bioinformatics training, and operates an industry programme supporting pre-competitive research and translational partnerships.

Contract research and analytical services for food and health industries

QIB Extra is a wholly owned commercial subsidiary of Quadram Institute Bioscience, providing contract research, analytical services, and consultancy to companies in the food, nutrition, and health sectors. Operating from Norwich Research Park, it gives commercial clients access to the facilities and scientific expertise of the Quadram Institute on a fee-for-service basis. Services include applied microbiology, food safety testing, bioactive analysis, gut health research, and sequencing. Clients range from SMEs to large multinationals.

GCP-accredited oncology molecular diagnostics for clinical trials and research

The Cancer Molecular Diagnostics Laboratory is an ISO 15189-accredited molecular diagnostics facility within the University of Cambridge Department of Oncology, jointly funded by CRUK and NIHR. Operating to GCP and GCLP standards, it provides next-generation sequencing, circulating tumour DNA analysis, liquid biopsy workflows, and digital PCR services for oncology clinical trials and translational research. Services are available to clinical trials, independent research groups, and biotechnology companies as a site, central laboratory, and contract researcher.

Specialist distributor of transplant diagnostics and molecular biology products

VH Bio is a specialist distributor of life science research and diagnostic products serving the United Kingdom and Republic of Ireland. The company focuses on four areas: transplant and HLA diagnostics, molecular biology, immunology, and cell biology. Its portfolio of approximately 10,000 products is sourced from global manufacturing partners, and VH Bio holds exclusive UK and ROI distribution rights for several suppliers. Products are dispatched from a dedicated warehouse and cold storage facility in Gateshead.

Preclinical and clinical CRO specialising in biomarker services

Epistem is a contract research organisation providing preclinical and clinical research services to pharmaceutical and biotechnology companies. Its capabilities span in vivo and in vitro preclinical models across oncology, gastrointestinal disease, dermatology, and autoimmune indications, alongside GCLP-accredited biomarker services including gene expression profiling, next-generation sequencing, histology, and protein biomarker detection. The company has particular expertise in low-input genetic analysis and laser capture microdissection, supporting target validation and biomarker-led drug development programmes.

Nanopore platform for single-molecule full-length protein sequencing

Portal Biotech is a biotechnology company developing benchtop nanopore instruments for single-molecule proteomics and metabolomics. Its platform uses bioengineered nanopores coupled with machine learning to sequence intact, full-length proteins at the single-molecule level, capturing protein mutations, modifications and heterogeneity in real time. Evolved from over a decade of academic nanopore research in the Maglia Lab at the University of Groningen, the technology targets drug discovery, diagnostics and biosecurity applications.

Automated molecular diagnostics for HLA typing and blood group testing

MC Diagnostics is a specialist molecular diagnostics company developing and manufacturing automated multiplexed assay solutions for clinical and reference laboratories. The company's proprietary platform delivers proven diagnostic assays for HLA typing and blood group testing, supported by integrated image capture and interpretation software. MC Diagnostics also distributes transplant and transfusion diagnostics products across the UK, Ireland, and Australia. The facility operates to ISO 13485 standard with CE-marked product lines.

Non-invasive oral cancer screening using genomics and cell-free DNA

Wisdom Bioscience is a biotechnology company developing a non-invasive oral cancer screening platform that integrates next-generation sequencing and cell-free DNA analysis with saliva-based sample collection. The platform is designed to enable early detection of oral cancer through routine dental appointments, addressing a disease area where outcomes are strongly dependent on stage at diagnosis. The company is progressing through clinical validation ahead of commercial launch.

Solutions for genomics, diagnostics and precision medicine

QIAGEN is a global provider of sample preparation, molecular diagnostics, and genomics solutions for pharmaceutical, clinical, and research applications. Its UK headquarters at Citylabs 2.0, Manchester serves as the company's global centre of excellence for precision medicine and companion diagnostics, co-developing diagnostic tests with more than 25 pharmaceutical partners. The Manchester site maintains close partnerships with the University of Manchester and Manchester University NHS Foundation Trust.

Automated liquid handling and sample management instruments

SPT Labtech is a designer and manufacturer of laboratory automation instruments and consumables for liquid handling, sample preparation, and sample management. Its product portfolio includes nanolitre liquid handling systems for drug discovery and genomics workflows, cryo-electron microscopy sample preparation instruments, and automated compound management and biobanking solutions. Products serve pharmaceutical, biotechnology, and academic research customers globally, with applications spanning NGS library preparation, high-throughput screening, structural biology, and protein crystallography.