From a position where – just 30 years ago – there was no clearly identifiable life sciences cluster in Cambridge and its hinterland, the community has grown to become arguably the most influential in Europe and one of the most powerful on the planet.
But such consistent growth brings its own problems – not least the issue of where to base a young bio business that provides a genuine springboard to growth.
Flexible space, access on a cost-effective basis to top notch laboratory equipment, easy-in, easy-out terms – such riches don’t exist locally do they?
Well, actually – they do!
Insightful judges of such things don’t come much smarter than Professor Allan Bradley, former director of the globally-renowned Wellcome Sanger Institute and a serial life science entrepreneur.
When one of his promising new chain was starting out from his labs at the University of Cambridge – the increasingly influential ExpressionEdits – management had no hesitation in making the startup’s home not at one of the region’s major science parks but at The EpiCentre in Haverhill.
Cambridge post code, superb communications links, hi-tech but user-friendly facilities – all allied to a commitment to provide a personal yet productive working and social environment – allowed ExpressionEdits to settle in then grow at its own pace and flesh out a methodology that has been shown to significantly improve transgene expression.
Transgenes are artificial gene constructs which are used across all modern biotechnology. At The EpiCentre, the business developed the ‘ExEd Engine’ which automates and optimises this proprietary method; built using millions of biological measurements, coupled with machine learning, to establish the rules for optimal recoding. This technology has a potential impact on recombinant protein yields and the quality and efficacy of DNA medicines.
Its tenure at The EpiCentre bought the company time to grow in a sustainable manner and proved the ideal stepping stone to larger facilities at Babraham Research Campus.
Nevertheless it was mission accomplished for another promising startup and has blazed a trail for other promising young ventures in science & technology to follow in its footsteps.
And this is what The EpiCentre is all about. It has grown its offering in terms of rooms of various sizes and of high-tech equipment, which can be rented on fixed but friendly terms.
While ExpressionEdits is just one example in one segment, startups in all manner of sectors are thriving from The EpiCentre, for example, SKC Games Studio an independent video game developer based in the UK.
Its focus is on creating engaging, enlightening and informative story-driven RPGs that challenge players of all ages and its initiative to conjure the intellectual spirit of AI pioneer Alan Turing has already caused a stir internationally.
Many other technology innovators are thriving from the centre and case studies reflecting their strengths and potential will be unveiled as our series of articles on the venue and its tenants progresses in coming months.
The EpiCentre provides single or dual private pods so clients can tuck themselves away to handle more sensitive communications. The cafe area is airy and relaxing, providing the perfect break-out facility. All provided within a stunning rural setting with great road links and communication links that are second to none.
The co-working area is stand-out and, for companies anxious to secure important capital, The EpiCentre has just launched The Growth Accelerator, a new fund which brings capital and – equally important – focused mentorship for participant organisations.
Long-term developer Nic Rumsey has been so impressed that he has established his own office within the building and keeps a weather eye on opportunities to further develop The EpiCentre. It is administered by the highly regarded Oxford Innovation Space – the UK’s largest innovation centre operator and founded by The Oxford Trust to provide support to science, technology, and knowledge-led early-stage companies.
“It feels like coming home,” says Rumsey who over many years has developed The EpiCentre, Haverhill Research Park and other key facilities from scratch through his highly tuned-in Jaynic organisation.
The CB post code is a bonus but the purpose-built innovation centre further benefits from being based right on the adjoining borders of Cambridgeshire, Suffolk and Essex, literally at the epicentre of the South Cambridge Business Technology Cluster.
Opening just five days before what developed into the Covid Lockdown, it was a tough start to life for The EpiCentre. But all that seems in the distant past with continuous progress very much the watchwords.
The EpiCentre now offers an exceptionally rich range of spaces, offices and laboratories in a shared environment or on a private basis – all on very easy terms to allow flexibility and offered with inclusive business support.
Determined never to stand still, The EpiCentre has just unveiled a new manager in Helen Earl, who has many years’ experience in the business centre sector having previously been Operations Director with Mantle Space Ltd.
Helen vocalises The EpiCentre proposition with great precision and gusto: “I’m thrilled to have joined the team at The EpiCentre in Haverhill. It’s a fantastic focal point for innovators, start-ups and scale ups across both the local area and wider region, with office, laboratory, meeting and co-working space; and a top-notch café on site.
“It’s a great time to be joining, given the building’s new features and the exciting launch of our Growth Accelerator programme, consisting of the EpiFund for support towards applying for Angel Investment and the EpiBoost for more immediate cash injections and tailored business development.
“With the whole of The EpiCentre team, our common purpose is to help companies on their growth journey in a collaborative, supportive and modern environment.”
• Business Weekly will be working in partnership with The EpiCentre throughout the next 12 months, bringing ongoing investments to the fore as well as drilling down to focused case-studies on some of the exciting science and technologies being developed by tenants.
To find out more about Office Space | The EpiCentre | Haverhill, Cambridge (epicentrehaverhill.co.uk)
To find out more about Lab Space | The EpiCentre | Haverhill, Cambridge (epicentrehaverhill.co.uk)
To find out more about Our Members | The EpiCentre | Haverhill, Cambridge (epicentrehaverhill.co.uk)
To find out more about Business Support | EpiCentre | Cambridge, Haverhill (epicentrehaverhill.co.uk)
