Pioneering life sciences company re-locates to Dundee in key move to achieve ambitions

Cellexus, a leading supplier of innovative, single use, disposable bioreactors, designed to improve fermentation and cell culture processes, has chosen to re-locate to Dundee from Cambridgeshire. Supported by Scottish Enterprise, the company made the decision to move based on Scotland’s unrivalled offering, as a hub of international life sciences.

Cellexus highlights Dundee’s collaborative links with the University of Dundee, established relationship with the NHS and availability of support for life sciences companies as determining factors in its relocation. It now aims to expand its range of products, broaden its outreach and tap into new overseas markets.

The company is receiving equity funding of up to £250,000 from the Scottish Investment Bank, the investment arm of Scottish Enterprise, to assist with its move to Dundee and with the implementation of its international sales and marketing plan, and is supported via the Scottish Enterprise account management programme.

Commenting on the move, Julia Brown, director of life and chemical sciences, Scottish Enterprise, said: “That Cellexus has chosen to move to Dundee from Cambridgeshire is testament to Scotland’s reputation as the location of choice for life sciences companies. Cellexus is an innovative, forward-thinking company and we look forward to continuing to work with them to help them successfully up-scale and explore new markets, driving forward their ambitious growth plan.”

Bob Cumming, director, Cellexus, said: “Coming to Dundee has enabled Cellexus to join the vibrant life sciences sector in Scotland and we have been most impressed by the help and assistance we have had from the various departments in Scottish Enterprise”

Already more than 30 machines have been sold in UK, Ireland, Germany, Poland and USA. This number is likely to rise with turnover expected to reach £2 million in 2016 as the market for these products is estimated to increase by 15-20% per annum until 2021.

Cellexus uses its patented Cellmaker system to produce proteins from bacteria such as yeast, ecoli and algae. These proteins are then used in foods, diagnostics, biofuels and pharmaceuticals – 71% of the top ten drugs used in the world are made by biotechnological processes. While other systems require shakers, rockers, rollers or large environmental chambers, Cellexus’s Cellmaker uses a novel airlift technology which is simple, scalable, inexpensive to use and is proven to provide highly efficient cell culture. The systems is designed to simplify fermentation and cell culture bioprocesses in biopharmaceutical research, scale-up production and contract manufacturing with optimal aeration mixing and precise temperature control.

The news comes a week before the 15th annual Scottish Enterprise Life Sciences Awards 2015. Held at the International Conference Centre in Edinburgh on Thursday 5 February, the event recognises the achievements of individuals, companies and research organisations within the Scottish life sciences industry.