A NEW diagnostic health screening venture has been established at Daresbury science and innovation campus with an initial investment of more than £1m.
Sankey Biolabs based at The Innovation Centre at Sci-Tech Daresbury, is headed by laboratory manager Frank Whitfield, who leads a team of biomedical scientists and support staff. New staff will be recruited as demand grows.
The Sankey Biolabs laboratory provides diagnostic blood testing services to a range of companies, organisations and occupational health specialists, with a focus on the health and wellbeing of employees nationwide.
Its initial array of blood testing profiles ranges from immunity screens for blood-borne viruses such as hepatitis B, hepatitis C and HIV, through to health screens such as kidney, liver and lipid profiles, as well as specific tests for cardiac risk, pre-diabetes and vitamin D deficiency.
The laboratory is offering results on the same day that samples are received.
Frank said: “We pride ourselves on providing a quality service to an expanding client base, delivering reliable and timely diagnostic information through pathology testing solutions across a number of disciplines, including serology, clinical biochemistry, haematology and molecular biology.
“Increasingly, people want to make informed decisions about their lifestyle, and employers are consciously looking to invest in the health and wellbeing of their workforce.
“Sankey Biolabs has been established with these market opportunities in mind, as we recognise that a healthy and motivated workforce will reduce absenteeism and improve productivity.”
Frank added: “We have ambitious growth plans and we are well-positioned to expand and react rapidly to client requests by offering bespoke testing opportunities in niche markets.
“We’ve made a strong start and are actively looking to expand our offering, by providing our services to the life insurance sector, sexual health clinics, private GP surgeries and, in due course, directly to individuals.”
The Innovation Centre is a state-of-the-art 24,000 sq ft building which is home to around 80 science and technology-based businesses.
John Leake, business growth director, Sci-Tech Daresbury, said: “We’re thrilled to welcome Sankey Biolabs to our campus. Frank spearheads a company that combines sharp business acumen with scientific innovation to address a key unmet need that will help companies develop better wellbeing strategies for their workforce.
“I’m confident an exciting period of growth lies ahead for the business, and our Home for Life ethos means Sci-Tech Daresbury is the perfect location for Sankey Biolabs to expand as demand rises from its target markets.”
