Domainex expands its research operations by securing from Howard Group a new facility at Unity Campus

Cambridge and Saffron Walden, United Kingdom, 10^th July 2023 / Domainex Ltd., a leading integrated medicines research services partner and recent winner of a King’s Award for Enterprise, today announces it has secured a lease from leading regional property investor and developer Howard Group on Building A2, a new, fully fitted, three-storey building. 

Domainex first moved to Unity Campus in January 2022, taking 7,000 sq ft of laboratory space at Iconix 2 to facilitate the company’s strong growth by providing a dedicated facility for its biology department and freeing up space at its closely located Chesterford Research Park site. This enabled further expansion of its chemistry and bioanalytical departments at Chesterford Research Park. The company has continued to grow at pace, with headcount growth of over 50% in the last 12 months and record revenue over the last two years. Recently, Domainex was proud to announce it was the recipient of a King’s Award for Enterprise: International Trade 2023, recognising the company’s outstanding growth in international trade. Growth, however, has not just been overseas, with UK revenues also achieving record levels. 

Key to Domainex’s growth has been continued investment in cutting-edge technologies, for example the company recently launched a new Cryogenic Electron Microscopy (Cryo-EM) service. Investment in attracting and retaining talent has also been instrumental and Domainex plans to continue to recruit and ensure all its staff have opportunities to develop their careers and enjoy generous benefits.

Established in 2001 as a spin-out from University College London, Birkbeck College and the Institute of Cancer Research, Domainex has been supported throughout its development by a consortium of UCL Business, Longbow Capital, Bury Fitzwilliam Lay, Juno Capital and a syndicate of other private investors. The company is now recognised as one of the UK’s foremost providers of drug discovery services and has ambitious plans to double its revenue over the next three years, necessitating this further expansion of its facilities. At over 24,000 sq ft, Building A2 provides a significantly increased floor area for Domainex’s biology department compared to Iconix 2. This allows space for both new instrumentation and staff, which will be essential for the company to continue on its rapid, organic growth trajectory. The facility will be let fully fitted and Howard Group is targeting BREEAM ‘Excellent’ and an EPC rating of ‘B’. The sustainability and energy efficiency of the facility were important factors in Domainex’s selection process. The new building will be able to house over 100 biologists and it is anticipated that Domainex will take occupation by the end of the year. With its existing Chemistry and Bioanalytical Centre of Excellence at Chesterford Research Park, the combined footprint of Domainex research facilities will exceed 44,000 sq ft.

Commenting on the expansion, Dr Tom Mander, CEO of Domainex, said: “With the backing of our shareholders and the Board of Domainex, we are embarking on this significant expansion and funding it through our existing reserves. I am grateful to our shareholders for their continued support for our growth and I am proud of all my colleagues; without their hard work and dedication, we would not be in this exciting position. We look forward to the future with optimism and are poised to remain at the forefront of new medicines research for the ultimate benefit of patients.”

Having developed a collaborative relationship with Domainex as existing tenants at Unity Campus, Howard Group worked closely with Domainex to understand their needs and requirements, enabling Howard Group to offer the opportunity to expand on campus at the right time, rather than looking elsewhere. Domainex was supported in this transaction by One Nucleus, Dowley Turner Real Estate LLP and Moss Solicitors whose expert advice has facilitated this strategic transaction.

Katherine Friend, Director Investment & Asset Management, Howard Group commented: “Having first welcomed Domainex to Unity Campus in early 2022, we have been delighted to see the company thrive to the point at which additional space was needed to keep pace with their current growth trajectory. Being able to facilitate that significant growth on Campus is particularly exciting for our team, having built up a strong and collaborative partnership with Domainex during our day-to-day interactions on Campus. Suffice to say, we are delighted to see the company go from strength to strength and we are proud to be partnering with them in facilitating the next stage of growth.”

ENDS

For more information, contact:

Domainex
Dr Tom Mander, CEO
E: tom.mander@domainex.co.uk

Sciad Communications
Juliette Craggs / Maria Taylor
T: +44 (0)20 3405 7892
E: domainex@sciad.com

Howard Group 
Sarah Brereton, Director, Limewash                               
Tel: +44(0)7796 583 223
Email: sarah@limewash.co.uk

Notes to editors

About Domainex Ltd.
Based in Cambridge, UK and employing over 100 scientists, 95% of whom are educated to at least a Master’s degree, Domainex is a leading, multi-award-winning, integrated medicines research service partner working with ambitious life science organisations from around the globe. The Company has been setting new standards in research since 2001, working collaboratively with pharmaceutical and biotechnology companies, patient foundations and leading academic institutions globally.

Domainex provides innovative and customised biology and chemistry services to advance the disease research projects of its partners, from target expression to pre-clinical development candidate nomination. Domainex leverages its considerable knowledge of drug discovery to provide intellectual input, creativity and innovation to maximise the chance of successful identification of drug candidates to treat debilitating diseases. Domainex works closely and collaboratively with its partners to understand their aspirations, bringing ideas, know-how and a wealth of experience to bear on their projects.

Domainex’s highly qualified and experienced team of dedicated research scientists has an unrivalled breadth of knowledge, access to a wide range of technologies and a proven track record of successful innovation in solving research challenges, including being named on over 60 patent applications of numerous candidate drugs.

Full information about Domainex and its award-winning services can be found at www.domainex.co.uk. 

About Howard Group
Established in 1935 and with headquarters in the centre of Cambridge, Howard Group is a leading regional property investor and developer with a property investment portfolio of nearly £250m, made up of 24 properties, 1 million sq ft of occupied space and with 88 tenants and counting. The Group is also a collaborative and patient investment partner, supporting the next generation of entrepreneurs in developing meaningful, knowledge-intensive businesses. 

Howard Group invests in and develops high-quality and innovative places that have a positive long-term impact on the environment and the people in and around them. Whether it’s a state-of-the-art student accommodation scheme, a campus environment specifically tailored to support Cambridge’s burgeoning life science and innovation sectors or an industrial hub positioned within one of the most exciting regeneration and growth areas in London, the Group’s objective is to make sure these places meet the needs of those who interact with them, both now and into the future, leaving a lasting legacy for generations to come.

Find out more: www.howard-ventures.com