State-of-the-art premises increases operational footprint and will host Sysmex global R&D facility

Oxford Gene Technology (OGT), A Sysmex Group Company, has celebrated the opening of its new facility in Cambridge, UK. The opening ceremony, which took place on 3rd June at the company’s new premises on the prestigious Cambridge Science Park, was attended by the Department for International Trade (DIT) and local media as well as top-level representatives from OGT and its parent company, Sysmex Corporation.

The new facility boasts impressive, state-of-the-art refitted laboratories and is approximately three times the floor space of the previous site. OGT acquired fluorescence in situ hybridisation (FISH) probe manufacturer Cytocell® in February 2014 with 30 employees. Since then 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 has demonstrated its confidence in OGT and the Cytocell brand by expanding operations with the opening of this new facility to cope with increased volume of product manufacture and shipment. In addition, OGT plans to create a training and demonstration facility where customers can benefit from the company’s renowned FISH expertise.

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. This facility will serve to evaluate new technologies in the life sciences field and pursue collaborations with key opinion leaders, delivering innovative new products to the market. The facility will also be a hub for networking within the life sciences community, Cambridge University and global healthcare companies

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.”

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