Biotech firm looks to double in size as it invests in future
Biotech company, Biofortuna, has set out plans to double the size of its team after investing in a new headquarters and manufacturing facility in Deeside.
The company, which specialises in developing and manufacturing diagnostic tests for a number of conditions, ranging from lung cancer to COVID, expects to double its headcount from 30 to more than 60 over the next two years as result of its investment.
Backed by Foresight Group, the SME investor, Biofortuna has relocated from Brombrough, Wirral, to a purpose-built, facility at Deeside Industrial Park, which has more than doubled capacity and includes a class-leading, humidity controlled clean room for manufacturing more than 10 million tests per week.
The new jobs will include roles across the whole business including laboratory roles in assay development and manufacturing and commercial roles in project management and sales.
Biofortuna has particular expertise in assay stabilisation, techniques that enable diagnostic tests to be transported and stored at room temperature without the need for expensive and energy inefficient refrigeration and freezing.
Chief executive, Dr Nick Ash, said: “This multimillion-pound investment demonstrates our ambition and commitment to become the sector’s leading support specialist, helping our customers to accelerate their diagnostic development programmes from concept to commercialisation.”
Head of sales, Paul Williams, said: “This facility will position Biofortuna as one of the leading outsourced providers of genomic services, custom assay development and contract manufacturing.”
David Turner, director, Foresight Group, said “We are delighted to see the progress made by our portfolio company, Biofortuna and the delivery of their growth strategy.
“The opening of this impressive facility will help position Biofortuna as the leading provider of contract development and manufacturing services to the global in vitro diagnostic and point of care sectors for many years to come.”
Biofortuna was assisted with the property search by Chester-based Chartered Surveyors Legat Owen and with the legal contracting and conveyancing by Shoosmiths, Manchester.
