Bolstering Lateral’s recent life science sector drive and focus, this significant pre-let will see over 100 of Nuclera’s employees move in later this year, driving the efficient delivery of service-led lab space for occupiers. Previously, Nuclera was based at the nearby Cambridge Science Park but, like many fast-growing sci-tech companies, has outgrown its existing space and struggled to find a quality space with a proactive landlord.
Nuclera was founded by four PhD students at the University of Cambridge and has expanded rapidly across two continents to deliver on its founders’ vision to make proteins accessible to researchers through their eProtein™ bioprinter. Using a streamlined combination of cutting-edge technologies in a deployable benchtop platform, Nuclera is able to provide consistent protein expression, characterisation, and purification workflows to its customers. Their recent growth has spurred the move to Mortlock House - renamed One Vision Park - for greater space and flexibility for their unique lab-based work.
Purchased in a joint venture with Amazon Capital earlier this year, Lateral’s Mortlock House is the first life science sector purchase of Amazon Property’s new £250m fund. It follows Lateral’s recent acquisition of a major redevelopment site adjacent to the Royal London Hospital, in Whitechapel’s emerging life sciences cluster.
Rob Beacroft, director at Lateral says: “Our unique focus upon delivering service-led lab spaces for a diverse range of occupiers is putting us front of mind for innovative companies like Nuclera. Lateral, like Nuclera, are a dynamic, forward-thinking business, which allowed the bespoke deal to complete within a matter of weeks. We are delighted Nuclera has chosen to move their market leading technology and research to Mortlock House, and we look forward to announcing further strategic acquisitions over the coming months, as we progressively increase our life sciences portfolio.”
Nuclera co-founder and CEO Michael Chen said, “The scale of our work and team is expanding at pace. Following our recent series B raise we have secured top talent across key positions and are rapidly progressing in our mission to make proteins accessible via game-changing technology. We believe Lateral’s unique lab space focus mirrors our own ambition for better service and innovation in this sector.”
Lateral is fast becoming one of the major players in the life sciences space having also asset managed and sold Trinity House in Oxford earlier this year at a record price to Breakthrough Properties, and in addition to its recent acquisition in Whitechapel and Cambridge, has several other sites and transactions ongoing.
Nuclera’s new HQ will have the address One Vision Park, Station Road, Impington, Cambridge, CB24 9NP.
Paddy Shipp of JLL and Mark Levine of SMB advised Lateral, and Lauren Fendick, Lucy Graham, Rebecca Miller, Emma Coates and David Quinlan of Taylor Wessing acted for Nuclera. For further information, please contact Laura Gibson, laura@calvermont.com.
