London BioScience Innovation Centre (LBIC) announces expansion

London BioScience Innovation Centre to be first occupier at Tribeca, London

The London BioScience Innovation Centre (“LBIC”) will open a new 37,127 sq. ft. state-of-the-art innovation centre at The Apex, one of five mixed-use buildings within the ‘Tribeca’ development in the heart of King’s Cross being delivered by Reef Group and Blackrock Alternatives, through its Real Estate business.

The Apex, scheduled for completion in autumn 2023, will build on LBIC’s existing provision to offer additional high-tech lab facilities to its growing customer base, with the new facility set to strengthen its value proposition and attractiveness as a world-leading destination for bioscience research and development. Founded in 2000, LBIC is wholly owned by the Royal Veterinary College (“RVC”), which is top of the QS World University Subject Rankings 2022 in veterinary science.

LBIC, guaranteed by the RVC, is taking a 25-year lease, which includes part basement and ground, first and second floor of the seven-storey building. LBIC will also have an active involvement in the marketing, letting and operation in the remainder of The Apex, to ensure the occupier mix is complementary. LBIC’s expert team supports 60 companies at present, with the innovation centre at The Apex set to further enhance its strong reputation for excellence.

Founded in 1791, the RVC has strong research connections with key partner institutions and stakeholders both in London and throughout the world, which extend beyond veterinary science to human health. LBIC facilitates collaboration between its clients and RVC’s expert researchers, which includes access to specialist equipment and contract research services. The Apex facility will drive and enable further scientific discoveries leading to improvements in both animal and human health.

Tribeca will be a landmark location, featuring circa one million sq. ft. of high-quality workspace, state-of-the-art laboratories, and residential units across five buildings. Tribeca will be a key contributor to the King’s Cross Knowledge Quarter, which includes over 50 world-leading research institutions and organisations within life science, technology, and the arts. Benefitting from a key canal side location, with ready access to Granary Square and Coal Drops Yard, Tribeca is set to contribute to and further enhance King’s Cross’ vibrant retail, restaurant and public realm offering.

Stewart Deering, Chief Executive at Reef Group, commented: “King’s Cross is home to world-leading institutions and has been at the forefront of commerce and research for hundreds of years. The one million sq. ft. of high-quality lab and workspace at Tribeca is set to further enhance the area’s reputation as a leader in biotech innovation. The space has been designed to encourage occupiers to collaborate and drive forward the fast-growing and dynamic life sciences sector. London BioScience Innovation Centre will be key to realising this ambition by drawing on its extensive customer base from across the industry and ensuring the tenant mix at The Apex is complementary and world leading in research and development.”

Dr Rich Ferrie, CEO at London BioScience Innovation Centre, said: “We are delighted to be growing our footprint in the King’s Cross Knowledge Quarter by bringing online this fantastic new facility which complements our existing successful offering. This expansion demonstrates our commitment to addressing the continuing need for high quality grow-on space for innovative young bioscience companies in London. The LBIC team, supported by the RVC, has been at the forefront of providing best-in-class facilities at the heart of the capital for over two decades now and our partnership with Reef and BlackRock will be key to the next exciting phase of our growth.”

Professor Stuart Reid, Principal of the RVC, commented “We are pleased to be able to support the next stage of the growth and development of LBIC. We look forward to the enhanced impact that this expansion will deliver through additional research collaborations and industry links.”