AlphaBiolabs to expand at Sci-Tech Daresbury and recruit 12 scientists to meet Covid-19 test demand

AlphaBiolabs said it is investing an initial £520,000 in equipment for the new labs, with the figure to rise to more than £2.5m over the next year

The company is recruiting 12 scientists to be based at Sci-Tech Daresbury, it said.

AlphaBiolabs said it is investing an initial £520,000 in equipment for the new labs, with the figure to rise to more than £2.5m over the next year.

The investment will enable the firm to test 2,000 samples a day, which will rise to 5,000 as the team grows, it said.

David Thomas, managing director of AlphaBiolabs, said the new labs will mean the company can “keep pace” with demand for its workplace Covid-19 PCR and antibody testing service for business across the UK and overseas.

He said: “There is currently insufficient Covid-19 testing capacity in the UK to enable employers to rapidly test their staff to ensure they have a smooth transition back to the workplace in a Covid-safe manner.

“We believe there is a realistic prospect of Covid-19 infections increasing throughout the winter months, and therefore will see increasing demand for testing to keep workplaces safe."

He continued: “The key to our ongoing success is our heavy investment in our facilities and team to ensure we can deliver the best possible service for customers at the time they need it most.

“This expansion at Sci-Tech Daresbury marks another key phase in the company’s development.

“The new laboratories will help us achieve our goals while also helping to keep Britain PLC on the move during this difficult period.”