14th December 2016
Medicentre incubation success for Indoor Biotechnologies
An allergen testing company has become the latest business to successfully complete a term of business incubation at Cardiff Medicentre.
Indoor Biotechnologies launched in 2012 as a specialist life sciences company that helps detect the causes of, and offers solutions to, various allergens including those from pollen, food, animals and mites. After four years spent growing the business at Cardiff Medicentre, one of the UK’s leading incubation hubs for biotech and medtech companies, Indoor is now moving into new premises – a process known as graduation.
Dr James Hindley, Executive Director of Indoor said, “Our time at Cardiff Medicentre has put us in the best possible position to enter phase two of Indoor’s development. The support we have had from the Medicentre team and their contacts has enabled us to establish a strong presence within Europe and beyond. We have made some really valuable connections with local researchers, government representatives, and professional service providers, and we have also been able to recruit some exceptional talent from within South Wales.”
Indoor is now a seven-strong team of immunology scientists who are researching and developing new products and avenues of business. Trading in more than 50 countries, and with turnover expected to stand at £1.4m for 2016 – 90% of which from exports – the company is considered to be one of the leading global providers of products and services in the field of allergy. Its portfolio of clients includes allergists and immunologists from academia, government, and pharmaceutical and diagnostic companies, as well as consumers throughout the UK, Europe, Asia, the Middle East and Australasia.
“Having reached this point it is time for us to make room for new tenants to move into Cardiff Medicentre and enjoy the benefits that incubation there brings,” said Dr Hindley. “We have taken a lease on 4,500 square feet of lab and office space in the east of Cardiff and are very much looking forward to building on the successes we have achieved so far.”
Key to the company’s expansion will be investment in its contract research services, which include testing the efficacy of air conditioning units and cleaning products. The company also plans to expand its research and development programme and to increase sales of purified allergens within the UK and Europe.
“There is such a lot of scope and demand for the type of services we offer,” explains Dr Hindley. “We opened a facility in India earlier this year, and have made significant inroads into the Asian market. The reality is that there are many more markets that are waiting to be broken into, and plenty more people who need help in understanding and managing their allergies. The team here at Indoor recognises that we are improving the lives of allergy-sufferers all over the world, and that is huge motivation for ongoing innovation and growth.”
Indoor’s graduation comes at a significant time for Cardiff Medicentre. The first incubator of its kind in the UK, the centre is looking ahead to celebrating its 25-year anniversary.
Robyn Davies, Manager at Cardiff Medicentre, said, “Success stories are in plentiful supply at the Medicentre, and this latest development is a very proud moment for us. It is always so rewarding to see our tenants graduate out of incubation, and we wish James and his team all the very best for the future.”