Daresbury Laboratory launches scale-up facility to support ambitious north west start-ups
The Science and Technology Facilities Council (STFC) has launched its first scale-up facility at Sci-Tech Daresbury, to help ambitious north west start-ups bridge the gap between early success and sustainable commercial growth.
Meta Healthcare Ltd is the first company to join, strengthening its mission to develop treatments for rare metabolic diseases that require life-long care.
Located within the Liverpool City Region, the new facility builds on the campus’s established reputation as a nationally significant innovation hub, supporting businesses at every stage of their growth journey.
From start-up to scale-up
Scale-up companies play a vital role in the UK economy, creating high-value jobs, driving productivity, and turning innovation into real-world impact that benefits our lives.
However, this critical stage is often difficult to navigate, and research shows that 78% of companies that successfully build a product still fail to scale effectively.
STFC’s new fully fitted laboratories for scale-ups are designed to help businesses reduce capital outlay and the other risks associated with scaling their business.
Through short-term, affordable leases and access to specialist business, technical and regulatory expertise, the facility will help companies develop the capabilities and partnerships needed to compete and succeed in commercial markets.
Improving lives through innovation
Meta Healthcare Ltd began its journey at Daresbury Laboratory, within its dedicated incubation facilities designed to support early‑stage life science businesses with flexible laboratory space and specialist technical and commercial guidance.
Since then, the company has delivered strong global commercial traction and significant progress in its research and development programmes.
The move into a new scale‑up laboratory has doubled Meta Healthcare’s research and office footprint, enabling rapid business expansion while advancing its pipeline of innovative treatments for rare metabolic diseases, including PKU (Phenylketonuria), MSUD (Maple syrup urine disease ) and HCU (Homocystinuria).
Delivering life-changing therapies
Steve Tickle R & D director of Meta Healthcare Ltd, said: “Doubling our R&D footprint is a critical step in scaling our pipeline and answering the unmet needs of patients worldwide.”
The new facility will also allow the company to undertake larger and more complex development programmes, from early‑stage discovery through to clinical progression, strengthening its ability to bring life‑changing therapies to patients worldwide.
Supporting UK growth and innovation
Paul Vernon, head of STFC’s Daresbury Laboratory, said: “STFC’s first scale-up facility sets out to help start-ups from across the Liverpool City Region and the north west to de-risk a highly critical stage in their growth.
“In addition to scientific and technical excellence, success at this stage also depends on access to the right infrastructure, expertise, and networks.
“Located within the Sci-Tech Daresbury campus, our facility meets these needs, enabling companies, like Meta Healthcare, to accelerate growth while maintaining strong links to research and innovation.
“Ultimately, this is about helping ambitious businesses turn breakthrough ideas into sustainable growth and economic impact, while ensuring that UK-developed technologies continue to thrive.”
Successful track record
STFC’s new scale-up facility is a key addition to the innovation ecosystem at Daresbury Laboratory, helping start-ups turn deep-tech ideas into successful businesses by creating the conditions they need to thrive.
Through its incubation and innovation activities across the UK, STFC supports around 100 businesses each year, in sectors including space, quantum technologies, biotechnology, energy and health.
Collectively, these businesses have supported more than 1,100 jobs, and have contributed £380m GVA back to the UK economy, generating an estimated £25 in economic return for every £1 invested.