Biotech firm to double its workforce
Following a multi-million pound investment in a new headquarters and manufacturing facility, biotech firm Biofortuna says its workforce will double in size. Tony McDonough reports
Biotech firm Biofortuna is aiming to double its headcount over the next two years after investing in a new headquarters and manufacturing facility.
Biofortuna, which specialises in developing and manufacturing diagnostic tests for a number of conditions, ranging from lung cancer to COVID, relocated from Bromborough in Wirral to a purpose-built facility in Deeside.
This has meant the firm, which is backed by private equity outfit Foresight Group, has been able to double its capacity. The new facility includes a humidity-controlled clean room for manufacturing more than 10m tests a week.
It currently employs 30 people and is aiming to push this number up to 60. The new jobs will include roles across the whole business including laboratory roles in assay development and manufacturing and commercial roles in project management and sales.
READ MORE: Merseyside Pension Fund backs Foresight £65m pot for SMEs
Biofortuna has particular expertise in assay stabilisation. These are techniques that enable diagnostic tests to be transported and stored at room temperature without the need for expensive and energy-inefficient refrigeration and freezing.
Chief executive Dr Nick Ash said: “This multi-million-pound investment demonstrates our ambition and commitment to become the sector’s leading support specialist, helping our customers to accelerate their diagnostic development programmes from concept to commercialisation.”
Biofortuna was assisted with the property search by Chester-based property consultancy Legat Owen and with the legal contracting and conveyancing by Shoosmiths in Manchester.
David Turner, director of Foresight Group, added “The opening of this impressive facility will help position Biofortuna as the leading provider of contract development and manufacturing services to the global in vitro diagnostic and point of care sectors for many years to come.”