NCIMB aims to tackle global challenges with new investment and expanded team
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A pioneering laboratory in Aberdeen, known for its extensive collection of beneficial bacteria, has secured a significant investment of £1.7 million. This funding aims to expand its operations and address pressing scientific challenges faced by society today. The Dyce-based biotech lab, NCIMB, is home to the UK’s largest bacterial culture collection, known as the National Collection of Industrial, Food and Marine Bacteria.
Driving innovation across industries
These microscopic organisms are not just fascinating; they are essential drivers of innovation across various sectors, including pharmaceuticals, sustainable technologies, and food safety. For instance, they play a crucial role in the production of everyday products, such as antibiotics and food ingredients, and even contribute to household items like Febreze, which helps maintain a fresh environment at home.
NCIMB is dedicated to preserving and supplying these vital microbes from its state-of-the-art facility located in Wellheads Industrial Estate, which cost £4 million to build.
Transformational funding for growth
The recent funding, provided by Maven Capital Partners and the Scottish National Investment Bank, is set to support NCIMB’s ambitious growth plans. Opened in 2023, the lab features advanced microbiology laboratories, cold storage facilities, and molecular suites designed to enhance research capabilities. Dr. Edward Green, the chief executive of NCIMB, emphasized that this investment is transformational, enabling the lab to meet the growing demand for its services and create new local jobs. He stated, “The funding allows us to scale in the north-east of Scotland and better support our customers’ needs in life sciences.”
Expanding the team and capabilities
With plans to increase its workforce from 23 to 30 employees by the end of the year, NCIMB is poised for significant growth. Founded in 1982, the lab has built an impressive collection of over 10,000 bacterial strains, many of which have been collected over decades. Dr. Green noted that this collection serves as a national reference for anyone seeking microbial strains for beneficial purposes. He expressed optimism about the potential applications of these microbes, stating, “We have only scratched the surface in terms of the ways microbes can be used to benefit mankind and tackle many of the big issues faced by society, including climate change and food security.”
Future prospects and accessibility
The investment is expected to help NCIMB generate more revenue from its collection and facilitate the growth of the business, including the establishment of future spin-out companies. Dr. Green highlighted the importance of making the collection more accessible and useful, aiming to provide it in a format that reduces risks for end-users. This will enable NCIMB to expand its microbiology services, enhance its specialist licensing business, and develop new offerings tailored to customer needs.
Support from investors
David Milroy, a partner at Maven, expressed confidence in NCIMB’s unique position to meet the increasing demand for contract research organizations with deep domain expertise. He stated, “We are delighted to join the team at this point in the company’s journey and look forward to helping them further scale the business.” Alastair McMillen from the Scottish National Investment Bank also recognized NCIMB’s commercial potential and its ability to unlock innovations that address global challenges such as climate change and food insecurity.
