H&F workspace provider Scale Space launches 17,000 square feet of lab space in White City Innovation District and signs five new life-science tenants
Five new cutting-edge biotech businesses are coming to White City.
The new firms are set to create new jobs for local residents as the area becomes one of the hottest places for life science businesses in Europe. They will be based in the new Scale Space building in 58 Wood Lane.
The new White City tenants include oncology pharma manufacturer Avacta Therapeutics, implantable company Impli, sustainable pet food creators Good Dog Food, AI developers PhycoWorks and fermentation company Eden Bio.
The lucky five now occupy 15,000 square feet of the in-demand lab space recently unveiled in the White City Innovation District.
Happy tenants
Previously located in Cambridge, Avacta Group plc has moved their Therapeutics division to White City.
Neil Bell, Chief Development Officer at Avacta Therapeutics, commented: “We were attracted by the opportunities afforded by White City and Scale Space location, including access to laboratory-ready facilities, world-class talent, leading infrastructure and communication links.”
Anna Luisa Schaffgotsch, CEO & Founder of Impli, said: “We chose Scale Space White City because it is such an exciting innovation hub with lots of likeminded players and a strong support network. We believe that this can help us accelerate and deliver impactful innovations to the market.”
Chris Reynolds, CEO & Founder at Eden Bio, said: “Scale Space offers us cutting-edge labs right in the heart of a growing scientific ecosystem in West London. We’re hugely excited to be moving into an environment with so much potential.”
Tackling London’s lab space shortage
As local demand for ready-available lab space is on the rise (pdf 13MB), Michael Holmes, CEO of Scale Space, explained: “Life sciences is a booming sector and London has the talent to support it. But the lack of available and cost-effective infrastructure is stifling growth.”
The company recently unveiled 16 new high-end laboratories. Available on flexible one-to-two year leases, the new properties are especially attractive to small and mid-sized companies looking to scale up.
“The level of interest we are already seeing for this product tells us that demand is significant,” Holmes said.
With a further 50,000 square feet of purpose-built workspace nearing completion at Scale Space this summer, White City Innovation District is quickly evolving into London’s go-to destination for life science businesses.
Industrial Strategy
Delivering affordable flexible workspace for both local and new businesses is a key part of H&F Council’s pioneering Industrial Strategy.
“We’ll continue to work with developers to maximise affordable workspace and co-working opportunities to attract the best and the brightest in the tech, digital and creative industries to Hammersmith & Fulham,” said Cllr Andrew Jones, H&F Cabinet Member for the Economy.
H&F’s White City Innovation District is already home to global brands including Novartis, Blenheim Chalcot, and L’Oreal as well as many other small and mid-scaled organisations.
Many of these major firms are looking to recruit local residents. Here are 24 innovation-driving companies currently hiring in White City.
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