Ideal for occupiers looking for grow-on space, the Newnham Building is currently being re-configured to create a detached two storey lab/R&D building situated within a prominent position on the Park. Within close reach of the popular Nucleus central facilities, the Newnham building will also benefit from 111 parking spaces and ample cycle storage. Internally, the building will provide a newly constructed double height glazed reception to the western entrance as well as a new entrance to the eastern end of the building. The flexibility of the building has enabled it to be divided into four individual suites, which can cater for a range of needs in terms of technical configuration. Interest in the Newnham Building is high, with two further suites under offer, leaving just one remaining suite of 11,518 sq ft (1,070 sq m) currently available.
Isomerase joined the Chesterford Research Park community in 2013, initially taking a single laboratory within the multi-let Science Village building. Since then, its business has seen sustained growth and the company has expanded its occupancy with an additional suite to accommodate an enlarged team of 30 people.
During its occupancy at the Science Village, Isomerase has established itself as one of the UK’s leading service providers to the global healthcare and biotechnology sectors, with particular expertise in the discovery and development of microbial natural products.
Dr Matt Gregory, co-founder and CEO, Isomerase (pictured) commented of the move: “We have now reached the point in our development where we feel that a re-location to a larger, custom-fitted facility will really benefit and help facilitate our future growth. This move will enable us to further expand our capabilities, bring in new equipment and additional, highly skilled staff; guaranteeing our stability for the next decade. The Newnham Building is the ideal scenario for us; we really enjoy the environment here at Chesterford and working together with the Park development team we have come up with an exciting fit-out design that meets both our current and future needs. We are very excited to have secured the space for our future growth right here at Chesterford.”
Julian Cobourne, Senior Asset Manager, Aviva Investors, joint owners of Chesterford Research Park with Uttlesford District Council commented: “It has been an absolute pleasure to work with Isomerase to facilitate such an integral part of the organisation’s next phase of growth. Supporting Park occupiers through the provision of appropriate facilities throughout their life cycles is an incredibly important part of what we do at Chesterford and the entire development team take a deep personal interest in our occupiers’ continued success. In addition, we are always delighted to welcome new occupiers to Chesterford Research Park and I’m delighted that the Newnham Building offers us the potential to do both.”
Chesterford Research Park provides an innovative, flexible and future-proofed environment for both established and early stage biotechnology and pharmaceutical research and development companies. In addition to Isomerase, the Park is home to life science innovators including Arecor, AstraZeneca, Charles River Laboratories, Evonetix and Domainex. To date, more than 350,000 sq ft of laboratory R&D space has been let and occupied. Further phases of construction are proposed to extend the development to approximately 1 million sq ft.
Chesterford Research Park’s uniquely low-density development, set within 250 acres of impressive parkland, offers not only ultra-modern and energy-efficient laboratory and office space, but also central ‘hub’ facilities within the purpose-built Nucleus building. At the heart of the Park, the Nucleus houses a restaurant, café bar, health and fitness centre, and meeting and conferencing space, all of which can be accessed and enjoyed by both occupiers and visitors on a daily basis.