Our History

LBIC is founded by the Royal Veterinary College (RVC), with joint funding from London Development Agency with £8.2m funding and welcomes Inpharmatica as its first client.

Her Royal Highness Princess Anne officially opens LBIC. Microsens and Proxima become LBIC's first clients. 

Third phase of development  complete creating fully-fitted, affordable laboratory space in the heart of London.

Polytherics takes space at LBIC. Now known as Abzena, the company has evolved into a fully integrated biologics CDMO and CRO with facilities in both the UK and US.

LBIC receives the prestigious European Award for University-Industry Cooperation with Regional Impact from RUISNET. Janette Richardson, now LBIC’s Director of Operations, joins the team initially as Facilities Supervisor.

Celebrating its 10th anniversary, LBIC reflects on a decade of supporting biotech companies including three spinouts from the Royal Veterinary College (RVC). Looking ahead, CEO Professor Colin Howard shares an ambitious vision: "The goal for the next 10 years is to make LBIC the heart of London’s biotech cluster." As part of its mission to advance the bioscience sector, LBIC collaborated with the RVC on ORBIS, an internship and training initiative funded with £493,000 from the ECIF, managed by the Higher Education Funding Council. 

The anniversary year also marked a significant expansion for LBIC, which took over the Amoroso building on RVC’s Camden campus, adding 8,000 square feet of mixed-use space now home to Polytherics as its first occupants. GATC Biotech opened a DNA sequencing lab, offering UK scientists rapid sequencing services. LBIC also launched a business support network to foster life sciences in central London, recognise Dr. Tony Jones Award for Outstanding Contribution to London Life Sciences, and welcomed new team members, including Lucy Garnsworthy as Office Assistant. This year also saw farewells to key figures, with Founder Professor Howard and Client Support Manager Hayley Semprini stepping down.

Dr. Ken Larkin, previously our Business Development manager since 2009, is appointed CEO of LBIC, taking over from founder Professor Colin Howard, who is honored with a Lifetime Achievement Award. LBIC hosts the Biopioneer Bootcamp, a two-day intensive for biotech entrepreneurs. Synthace wins Best Business Pitch, earning six months of virtual residency and business support at LBIC. They later join as physical clients in 2015 and secure £7.5 million in 2017 to expand into custom-built facilities. deltaDOT relocates from Imperial College to LBIC, maintaining a continuous presence into 2024.

LBIC hosts its second Biopioneer Bootcamp, further supporting biotech entrepreneurs in developing their business ideas. Additionally, LBIC forms a strategic partnership with One Nucleus, strengthening its network and resources for life sciences companies in the region.

Ricky Martin, founder of Hyper Recruitment Solutions and The 2012 Apprentice winner, joins LBIC’s BSN.

Also, a new Bio-Analysis Centre is set up at LBIC by Dr Carolyn Hyde – this centre remains a key facility today.

LBIC welcomed a deltaDOT and Royal Veterinary College partnership, as they launched an on-demand therapeutic drug monitoring service. Pfizer moved to LBIC to form closer links with Universities, and strengthen their network with academics on research collaborations, taking a 5,000 sq ft lease, investing over £1 million in redevelopment and sponsoring a PhD studentship at RVC to advance bioscience research. Abzena, formerly known as Polytherics, celebrated a milestone with a successful IPO on the London AIM, marking its evolution in the life science sector. Fabrican also joined LBIC’s community, establishing itself as a long-term presence and continuing its innovative work at LBIC into 2024.

Marking its 15th anniversary, LBIC achieves a new milestone, of having 60 active clients (both physical and virtual) operating from LBIC, with the signing of ReCellerate Ltd.  LBIC has now supported over 130 clients from 17 countries. MedCity also found a home at LBIC and further strengthens LBIC’s role as a hub for life sciences innovation.

deltaDOT technology finds a new application in NHS trials, showcasing its potential in advancing healthcare solutions. NanoRegMed also joins LBIC and is still part of our vibrant ecosystem today.

RVC approves the build of a new veterinary vaccinology and cell therapy hub (CVRM) at the RVC Hawkshead Campus, near Potters Bar in Hertfordshire – just a 20 minute train journey from London King’s Cross.  RVC appoint LBIC to recruit SMEs to occupy the labs at CVRM, providing further opportunity for research collaboration with academic groups at RVC.

Abzena reaches a significant milestone as it graduates from LBIC, moving into its own dedicated facility in Cambridge, a testament to its growth and success within the LBIC community. Meanwhile, MSD, a global pharmaceutical giant, establishes a base at LBIC. This move underscores LBIC’s reputation as a hub for world-leading companies and reinforces its role in supporting innovative research and development in the life sciences industry.

Her Royal Highness Princess Anne visits the Royal Veterinary College’s Camden campus to tour its recent refurbishment, with a special stop to view a display celebrating the impactful work of LBIC. The year also sees the addition of Ori Biotech and Virtus Respiratory Research to the LBIC community, both of which continue their work here today. Further strengthening LBIC’s team, Adam Rasmussen Arda (now LBIC’s Facilities Manager) as Sterilisation Suite Technician, bringing valuable expertise to support LBIC’s expanding operational capabilities.

Despite the global pandemic, LBIC remains open to clients allowing science and vital research to continue, contributing to the understanding of COVID-19.

Dr Rich Ferrie joins LBIC as its new CEO. Rich's has a long track record in bioinnovation with leadership roles at AstraZeneca, University of Manchester and UCC.

LBIC announces an exciting expansion into a new, state-of-the-art facility at the Apex building. Fabrican captures global attention during Coperni’s Paris Fashion Week show, where founder Dr. Manel Torres creates a viral moment by spraying a dress directly onto supermodel Bella Hadid. The Royal Veterinary College (RVC) also achieves recognition as a world leader in the latest QS rankings and REF2021 results. Additionally, LBIC welcomes Baseimmune to its community, a partnership that continues to thrive in 2024.

LBIC unveils new lab and office space at LBIC: CVRM and Leading Pathology moves in as its first occupier. LiFT Biosciences also joins the LBIC community, bringing back familiar faces as its scientists, who had previously been located with LBIC, return under the company’s banner.  Amanda Keightly-Pugh and Lauren Smith join LBIC, forming the Business Development function to focus on LBIC’s market presence with the expansion of LBIC/Apex. The team has since increased to a total of 13 people (11 permanent and 2 temporary).

LBIC welcome Baseimmune as the first tenant at its the Apex facility. This new chapter for LBIC is also marked by a brand refresh from London BioScience Innovation Centre to LBIC.  And finally, His Majesty King Charles is confirmed as the Royal Patron for the RVC.

Watch this space…