Innovative nanomedicine company, ViaNautis is the latest biotech to join the impressive line-up at Howard Group’s prestigious

Unity Campus 

Howard Group continues 2024 leasing success at its fast-growing South Cambridge life science and technology campus.

Scale up biotech ViaNautis is the latest signing at Unity Campus.

Cambridge, 7^th May 2024: Leading regional property investor and developer Howard Group, is delighted to announce  the latest new letting at its flagship science and technology hub Unity Campus in Cambridge, UK.

ViaNautis, a ground-breaking nanomedicine company at the forefront of genetic therapies, has signed a 10-year lease for 10,825 sq ft of first floor laboratory, write up and office space within the Cadence building – the third and final new laboratory-enabled building recently completed on Campus.

Formerly known as SomaServe, ViaNautis was founded in 2018 as a spin-off from University College London and is at the forefront of advancing revolutionary therapies for Central Nervous System (CNS) rare diseases and cystic fibrosis. Using its state-of-the-art polyNaut® platform, its technology is being developed to precisely guide genetic materials across hard-to-penetrate biological barriers to their intended target.

Nicholas Bewes, CEO, Howard Group, said: "We warmly welcome ViaNautis to Unity Campus. The company’s commitment to advancing the field of gene therapy for the development of treatments for people with cystic fibrosis and CNS is admirable and we wish them every success in their pioneering work.”

Following a recent $25 million Series A funding round, ViaNautis is collaborating with leading pharmaceutical and biotech companies to unlock the potential of promising genetic molecules as well as new therapeutic platforms. 

Dr Fran Crawford, CEO, ViaNautis, commented: “Moving to this state-of-the-art laboratory and associated offices is representative of ViaNautis’ growth trajectory. We are delighted to be expanding into these new premises which we hope will provide an inspiring workplace for our existing and future talent.”

Howard Group is currently managing the fit-out process of ViaNautis’ first floor accommodation to meet CL2 standard laboratory specifications. The laboratory space will include molecular biology, formulation, and tissue culture laboratories, a chemistry laboratory equipped with ducted fume hoods, and a dedicated area outlined for Good Laboratory Practices and scale-up activities. The office space is being delivered in an open-plan format, complemented by a suite of meeting and office rooms, a kitchenette, and a break-out area.

Richard Dickinson, One Nucleus’ Chief Technical Specialist, provided a performance specification for the project. Howard Group selected Parkeray as the contractor to bring the vision to life, and enlisted the expertise of 3PM as project managers, CB3 as cost consultants, and Hive for MEPH consulting to ensure the seamless execution of the project.

Katherine Friend, Director – Investment and Asset Management, Howard Group, added: "The ViaNautis team will be joining an existing line up of exciting biomedical companies at Unity Campus, including Domainex, PhoreMost, Maxion Therapeutics, IONTAS, Sareum, Aqdot, Chimeris and Liminal BioSciences. I have no doubt that they will thrive in this dynamic environment and become an integral part of the entrepreneurial and collaborative Campus community.”

This latest letting follows Welbeck Health Partners’ lease of the Orion Building and Domainex's occupancy of the Sigma Building earlier this year, consolidating Unity Campus as a prime location for today’s leading life science, biotech and R&D organisations.

The rapid pace of leasing this year highlights the significant demand for high-quality, purpose-built laboratory and office spaces in Cambridge, particularly at Unity Campus which is emerging as a leading hub for healthcare innovation in the region. 

The ground and second floors - a total of 20,000 sq ft - remain available in Cadence accommodating a high-quality 60/40 lab-office split with a BREEAM score of ‘Excellent’. Howard Group is fitting out the second floor of Cadence, alongside the works being carried out to the first floor on behalf of ViaNautis.

Prospective occupiers are advised to act promptly to secure the remaining space within this burgeoning and ambitious campus. To discuss requirements in detail please contact Unity Campus’ joint agents, Rupert Dando (07813 624 276) and Tom Mellows (07870 555 955) at Savills - Paddy Shipp (07469 155 531) and Bridget Partridge (07921 309 816) at JLL.  

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