New Premises Increases Operational Footprint and will Host Global R&D

Staff members from Oxford Gene Technology (OGT) and parent company Sysmex Corporation along with representatives from the Department for International Trade gathered in Cambridge to celebrate the opening of Oxford Gene Technology’s (OGT) new facility on the Cambridge Science Park, (June 3)

Equipped with refitted laboratories the new building has approximately three times the floorspace of the previous site. Since acquiring fluorescence in situ hybridisation (FISH) probe manufacturer Cytocell® in February 2014 with 30 employees, the company has significantly increased its portfolio, including launching the largest FDA-cleared in vitro diagnostic (IVD) FISH probe range for AML (Acute myeloid Leukaemia) and MDS (Myelodysplastic syndromes) on the market. The number of employees based in Cambridge has increased to 53 and continues to grow, driven by strong double-digit sales growth. As a result, Sysmex demonstrated its confidence in OGT and the Cytocell brand by expanding operations with the opening of this new facility.

John Anson, CEO of OGT commented, “We are thrilled to celebrate the opening of our state-of-the-art facility in the heart of the Cambridge life science hub. OGT continues to perform well with sustained growth and this investment by Sysmex will accelerate our next phase of product development and global expansion.”

As well as demonstrating its support for OGT, Sysmex also affirmed its confidence in the UK’s life science industry, by confirming that it will set up a global R&D facility within the OGT laboratories - similar to other sites in Hamburg and Chicago.

International Trade Secretary Dr Liam Fox MP said “With a combination of top universities, research institutions, global life sciences companies, increasing government support and world-leading talent, the UK is a fantastic place to invest in research and development. As an international economic department, DIT is determined to boost investment into our life sciences sector and we are pleased to support Sysmex’s significant investment in Cambridge. We are busy forging a vision of the UK as a world-leader in innovation and technology and aim to make the UK the best place for life sciences businesses to grow.”