A state-of-the-art laboratory has opened in York.
ABS Laboratories’ new facility analyses drugs, including nicotine and other related compounds in saliva, urine and plasma for organisations conducting preclinical and clinical trials to combat diseases.
ABS has relocated from Welwyn Garden City near London to Hospital Fields Road in York, opposite ACM’s European Headquarters. ABS has plans to expand the team in York in 2020, joining ACM’s 120+ York-based team.
ABS has invested more than £1 million in the 7,500 sq ft laboratory, which includes support from a £175,000 Let’s Grow North & East Yorkshire grant.
It has transformed the disused warehouse into a world-leading facility.
Major software and hardware upgrades include a new liquid chromatograph tandem mass spectrometer. The new equipment will provide sensitive assays for the development of new drugs, as well as advanced quantitative smoking and nicotine replacement therapy analysis including government funded smoking cessation programmes in England and Scotland.
Commitment, passion and quality
ABS Laboratories was founded 24 years ago by scientists Colin Feyerabend and Mira Doig, who have been instrumental in the company’s growth and in managing its move to York.
Laboratory manager and technical director Dr Doig said:
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ABS’ growth and evolution throughout the decades has brought new ways of working and understanding of the science of drug development to this area of the industry.
Commitment, passion and quality in science has been critical to success behind our work. Today we are here to celebrate another leap forward with brilliant new facilities, leading-edge technology and equipment, and a well-rounded team.
Being in York with ACM will bring greater collaboration and more opportunities for the business.
ABS was purchased by ACM Global Laboratories in 2018 as part of a strategic growth initiative, which sees the global leader looking to expand its collection of domestic and international laboratories focused on bioanalytical, toxicology and central lab testing.
York’s economic prosperity
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ABS Laboratories’ expansion and relocation is an important initiative for both ABS and ACM, with significant investment to provide state-of-the-art clinical trial testing and central laboratory services.
Collaboration with the scientific community here in York and abroad will advance our global footprint so we can continue to help generations to come.
Simon Middleton, business growth manager at Make It York said: “Businesses of this nature are vitally important to the future economic prosperity of the city and we are pleased to have played a small part in achieving a successful outcome.”
ABS Laboratories is a GLP and GCP MHRA accredited facility and has experience in supporting pharmaceutical companies, academic institutions and government agencies around the world, complementing ACM’s growing portfolio.