LBIC Celebrates 25 Years at the Centre of Bioscience Innovation
02 Jun 2025
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Dr Rich Ferrie, CEO of LBIC, with founder and former CEO Professor Colin Howard.
LBIC was established in 2000 to address the acute shortage of high-quality laboratory space for life science companies in central London. As the city’s first bioscience incubator, LBIC was designed to unlock the commercial potential of the world-class bioscience research base and expedite the growth of the sector.
More than just a facility, LBIC is owned by the Royal Veterinary College and is co-located within its leading research environment, offering access to top-tier biological support services, cutting-edge equipment and skilled bioscience graduates. Our clients benefit not only from exceptional labs and offices but from a highly connected ecosystem designed to help ideas grow and thrive.
Over the past 25 years, LBIC has supported more than 230 innovative life sciences companies, from early-stage start-ups to established ventures, working across diagnostics, therapeutics, medical devices, CRO services and more.
Our team brings decades of sector experience, helping companies navigate challenges, build strong foundations, and accelerate towards success.
Building on our legacy of supporting early-stage ventures, we’re now strengthening our value proposition with state-of-the-art grow-on space at the Apex Building, enabling scaling life science companies to take their next step within the heart of the King’s Cross Knowledge Quarter.
As we reflect on our journey, what stands out is not just the number of companies supported, but the enduring impact they have made. Today, LBIC continues to play a pivotal role in shaping London’s bioscience landscape, bringing research to life and ideas to market.
Hear more from our CEO, Dr Rich Ferrie, as he reflects on our journey:
"For nearly 25 years, LBIC has been a key enabler of biomedical innovation and a home for a community of biotech start-up companies.
From our roots on the Royal Veterinary College's Camden Campus, when there was practically no space for emerging life science start-ups in London, LBIC has since supported over 230 companies, creating a halo of biomedical companies around the college. Many of these companies have collaborated closely with the RVC, generating significant impact in terms of investment raised and jobs created. We look forward to celebrating this at our 25th Anniversary event at the House of Lords.
Recognising a clear market need for fully fitted, serviced grow-on space for life science companies, we developed new facilities at the Apex, part of the Tribeca development, enabling clients to expand and evolve. At the same time, we have welcomed emerging businesses from across the UK and beyond to join the LBIC community.
Our location is at the heart of King's Cross Knowledge Quarter within London's premier hub for life sciences and innovation. We are neighbours to world-renowned organisations such as The Crick, RVC, UCL, MSD, AstraZeneca, GSK, Google, and many others. This unique concentration of research, expertise, and enterprise, combined with the promise of AI, is accelerating bio-innovation at pace. It’s an exciting time to be here, doing what we do.
Looking ahead, we remain committed to fostering innovation and nurturing the next generation of life science entrepreneurs. With new facilities and a vibrant community, LBIC is well-positioned to continue enabling breakthroughs that will transform health and science for decades to come.
We were honoured when One Nucleus presented us with an award for our outstanding contribution to life sciences over 25 years. I want to extend my sincere thanks to our founder, Professor Colin Howard, and all LBIC colleagues, both past and present, for their dedication.”
Join us in celebrating LBIC’s 25th Anniversary as we recognise the incredible people, bold ideas, and groundbreaking innovation shaping life sciences. If you've been part of our journey, we’d be delighted to hear your story. Share it with us at: [email protected]