US biotech venture Pierian Biosciences opened its first laboratory in Liverpool in 2022 as part of a £60m expansion – now it has opened a second lab in the city. Tony McDonough reports
Pierian Biosciences opened its first laboratory at Liverpool Science Park (LSP) in October 2022 as part of a £60m expansion – now it has opened a second facility.
Nashville-based Pierian had been looking to cross the Atlantic and open a UK base for a number of years. Thanks to financial support from the Liverpool City Region Inward Investment Fund, it was able to establish an operation in Liverpool.
Local corporate finance and advisory outfit Harrogate International Advisory played a key role in bringing Pierian. It helped to secure the state support.
Now the business has signed a lease for a second CAT-2 laboratory within the Sciontec-owned innovation centre close to Liverpool’s Catholic Cathedral. This takes its total lab space in the city to 1,500 sq ft and means LSP’s lab occupancy is now 100%.
Pierian focuses on “personalised cancer intelligence”. It offers guidance for healthcare providers to offer a personal treatment for patients suffering from cancer and auto-immune diseases.
Norman Purvis, chief scientific officer, head of research and development at the business, said: “Following our positive landing at LSP last year, we are excited to be expanding our footprint within the Knowledge Quarter Liverpool innovation district.
“We are progressing discussions with collaborators and partners to move our goal of enabling treatment directing personal medicine for oncology and immunotherapies closer to the finish line.
“The opening of our second Liverpool laboratory has provided additional space for us to grow into and create new employment opportunities as our UK team expands.”
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Sciontec has experienced strong growth across its lab based customer portfolio at LSP this year. Nano Biosols, Gemini Biosciences and ShimyaTech have all renewed their leases.
George Barclay, head of property, FM and operations at Sciontec, added: “We are delighted that Pierian Biosciences has been able to scale-up so quickly here at Liverpool Science Park.
“Sciontec prides itself on providing great spaces for great minds, and this expansion deal is testament to that.”