Abcam, the Cambridge UK business that supplies life science research tools to global innovators, is moving its HQ from the Science Park to a new 100,000 sq ft building at Cambridge Biomedical Campus.

The move will double Abcam’s Cambridge footprint and put it at the heart of a burgeoning life science community, including AstraZeneca.

It is also expected to generate a significant number of new jobs for the company which is keeping open its options on fresh global acquisitions.

Abcam says it will consolidate its three current Cambridge facilities into one new flagship building, subject to winning planning consent.

CEO Alan Hirzel said the move would accelerate and increase collaboration opportunities with scientific opinion leaders and strengthen links with pharmaceutical discovery groups, leading institutions and clinicians.

The new HQ will house the group’s UK innovation and manufacturing capabilities, laboratories, logistics, sales, marketing and corporate functions and will be the company’s European distribution hub.

Providing approximately 100,000 sq ft of office and laboratory space, compared with 57,000 sq ft currently, the facility will enable Abcam to better serve its consumers’ needs on several fronts.

It will allow better interaction between scientists and those responsible for marketing and selling the company’s products contributing to Abcam retaining  its market leading position.

The move will further establish Abcam as one of the most innovative and influential providers of reagents and tools for the research and clinical communities.

It will enhance its product development capabilities to allow Abcam to better serve the needs of the global research community while increasing capacity and allowing more flexibility in the company’s distribution model.

The facility is also expected to improve efficiency across all business functions.

Hirzel said: “The Cambridge Biomedical Campus is rapidly becoming an influential hub for global life science. We are looking forward to building upon our longstanding relationships with the scientific community and establishing new relationships with other organisations on the site.

“Bringing the Abcam team together will improve our efficiency and innovation process to the benefit of all of our stakeholders.”

A resolution to grant planning approval was passed unanimously in early August with the construction project planned to begin once full approval is received.

Design work has started and final estimates and specifications for the project remain subject to the completion of planning processes.