A Place for Life Sciences Innovation to Grow
Specialist laboratories, cleanrooms and flexible growth space connecting life sciences businesses with research expertise, technical facilities and the support to move from discovery towards commercial production.
Life sciences laboratories and growth space at NETPark
At NETPark, you have access to the specialist facilities, research connections and space needed to move from scientific discovery towards commercial production.
Our fully serviced laboratory suites support work in biotechnology, diagnostics, healthcare technology and pharmaceutical development. Our cleanroom facilities provide controlled environments for applications including medical device development, diagnostics, photonics, advanced materials and regulated manufacturing.
Whether you work in MedTech and photonics, medical devices and digital health, pharmaceutical innovation, drug discovery or preclinical research, you can find the right environment at NETPark. The campus is also well suited to specialist companies providing the technical, clinical and manufacturing support needed to take new healthcare products through trials, scale-up and commercial production.
Here, you can develop, test, commercialise and manufacture new products within a community of more than 40 science and technology businesses, with access to expertise from Durham University and CPI’s national innovation centres.
Our flexible space ranges from 151 sq. ft incubator units for early-stage businesses to larger laboratories and grow-on space within Plexus, Explorer and Discovery. If you are moving towards commercial manufacturing, NETPark’s larger expansion units provide high-specification units of up to 35,700 sq. ft, ready to be fitted out around your requirements.
Why Life Sciences Companies Choose NETPark
Moving beyond early-stage research brings new challenges. As you grow, you may need larger laboratories, specialist equipment, skilled people and space for pilot-scale or commercial production. Finding these in one place can be difficult, particularly in established life sciences centres where suitable property is limited and operating costs are high.
At NETPark, you can begin in flexible laboratory or office space, create technical environments around your requirements and move into larger facilities as demand grows. This allows you to expand without relocating your workforce or leaving established research and commercial partnerships behind.
Compared with many established life sciences locations, County Durham also offers competitive property, employment and operating costs. More accessible housing and a lower cost of living can help you attract skilled people, retain experienced teams and establish a long-term base.
At NETPark, you join a strong innovation environment with access to academic expertise. Connections with Durham University, Orbit, CPI, several Catapults and an existing cluster of life sciences companies give you opportunities for collaboration, knowledge transfer, partnerships, supply chain development and access to a skilled workforce.
NETPark is managed by Business Durham, giving you access to dedicated business support for innovation and growth, as well as funding opportunities.
Life Sciences Laboratories and Manufacturing Space
We provide a clear property pathway from research and development to pilot production and manufacturing. You can begin in incubator space within Plexus, move into larger laboratories and offices in Discovery or Explorer, and progress into purpose-designed facilities.
Our £100 million expansion has added 285,650 sq. ft of development space across 11 units ranging from 11,500 to 35,700 sq. ft. Delivered as shell space, the units allow you to create laboratories, cleanrooms, technical workspaces and production facilities suited to your processes.
Your facilities can change as your company grows, while your employees, research relationships and business connections remain close by.
Life Sciences Research and Commercialisation Support
At NETPark, we bring business, academia and the public sector together on one campus. Durham University provides research expertise and access to talent, CPI helps you develop and scale products and processes, and Business Durham provides property, business support and connections to funding.
This joined-up approach gives you a clearer route from research to commercialisation. Through our connections with Durham University and CPI, you can access collaborative projects, postgraduate talent, specialist equipment and pilot-scale facilities. This can help you test ideas, solve technical challenges and reduce risk before committing to larger-scale production.
CPI operates three national innovation centres at NETPark covering formulations, healthcare photonics and printable electronics. At NETPark, you can access technical expertise, cleanrooms, characterisation equipment and facilities that support product development, testing and scale-up.
Durham University Life Sciences Research and Talent
Durham University is a significant centre for life sciences research and education, with expertise spanning biosciences, biochemistry, molecular science, ecology and health.
Its research capabilities include bioimaging, sequencing, proteomics and metabolomics, creating opportunities for industry collaboration across different areas of life sciences. You can work with researchers, explore collaborative projects and connect with graduates and postgraduate researchers.
You can also draw on technician and operator-level skills developed through colleges and further-education providers across County Durham. Bespoke training, such as the life sciences upskilling programme at East Durham College, can help you recruit employees, develop specialist skills and retrain existing teams as technical and production requirements change.
Life Sciences Companies at NETPark
NETPark is home to companies working across biotechnology, drug discovery, pharmaceuticals and specialist research services.
REPROCELL Europe develops tools for stem cell and 3D cell-culture research. Its Alvetex® technology is manufactured at NETPark and allows researchers to create laboratory tissue models that more closely resemble how cells grow in the body.
HFR operates a research and development hub at NETPark, providing synthetic, process and analytical chemistry expertise to pharmaceutical, biotechnology, diagnostics and advanced-materials businesses.
Magnitude Biosciences is a Durham University spin-out and specialist contract research organisation. It uses the microscopic organism C. elegans and automated imaging technology to help pharmaceutical, biotechnology and health-product companies assess potential compounds. Its services support research into ageing, neurodegeneration, muscle and mitochondrial health, the microbiome, weight management and toxicity.
Nevrargenics is a Durham University spin-out based at Orbit at NETPark. The company is developing Ellorarxine™, a potential new treatment for Motor Neurone Disease and Frontotemporal Dementia. Its work has received recognition through a BioNow award.
Together, these companies demonstrate how specialist research can develop into commercially useful products, services and potential treatments at NETPark.
Connected to the North East Life Sciences Cluster
From NETPark, you can access the wider North East life sciences community, including research, clinical expertise, manufacturing capabilities and industry networks.
You can connect with organisations including Bionow, Diagnostics North East, the Northern Health Science Alliance, NEPIC and Health Innovation North East and North Cumbria. Regional assets include the National Innovation Centre for Ageing, International Centre for Life and North East Innovation Lab.
These connections can help you find research partners, meet potential customers, explore supply chains and participate in regional and national programmes.
A Connected Location for Life Sciences Businesses
From NETPark, you can access research, clinical and manufacturing expertise across Durham, Newcastle and Teesside. By car, Durham is approximately 20 minutes away, Teesside 25 minutes and Newcastle 40 minutes. Our proximity to the A1(M) also makes travel to the rest of the UK straightforward.
You can reach Teesside International Airport in around 25 minutes and Newcastle International Airport in 45 minutes.
NETPark is around 20 minutes by car from two major railway stations, Darlington and Durham. Both are on the East Coast Main Line, connecting the region to London, Cambridge, Oxford and Scotland. You can reach London in under three hours from either station.
Our campus provides a landscaped working environment with green spaces and walking routes. Combined with County Durham’s housing, schools, countryside and lower cost of living, this can help you attract and retain the people needed for long-term growth.
Business support at NETPark
When you move to NETPark, our support continues. Delivered by Business Durham, our campus team takes the time to understand your plans and connect you with the right people and opportunities.
We can provide guidance on funding, skills and recruitment, future property requirements and growth planning, as well as introductions to universities, Catapults, sector networks, suppliers and potential collaborators. Regular events and direct introductions also help you get to know your neighbours and become part of the wider NETPark community. As your needs change, you have a local point of contact ready to provide practical help and make the right connections.
Discover what NETPark could offer your business
To find out how your company would benefit from locating to NETPark please contact Sara Williams, on 01740 625 250 or email sara.williams@durham.gov.uk
