Novacyt Group

Originally the Yourgene Health business initially established itself within the Rutherford House at Manchester Science Park in 2014 with just two desks and a lab, before quickly expanding into an 8,000 sq ft space in Citylabs 1.0. The growing life science business had further expansion requirements, which saw the team grow to occupy 22,000 sq ft across Citylabs 1.0 and the Manchester Science Park campus. Following a series of acquisitions and organic growth, Yourgene Health grow substantially and ended up consolidating its space into one facility in 2022, now occupies the entirety of the impressive Skelton House building on Manchester Science Park.

In September 2023, Yourgene Health was acquired by the Novacyt Group, creating a leading molecular diagnostics group bringing distinctive strengths across different market segments. During 2024, the Group announced a series of site consolidations, relocating some operational units in Stokesley and Eastleigh in the UK and a site a manufacturing site in Vancouver, Canada to Manchester.

Skelton House on Manchester Science Park is now a centre of operational excellence for the Novacyt Group and houses commercial, R&D, manufacturing and logistics teams along with head office infrastructure and administration. The relocation has created an abundance of new roles and opportunities within Manchester for the Novacyt Group.

So why did the Novacyt Group choose to relocate many teams and sites to Manchester?

• The availability of skilled talent in the area is a key factor, which other molecular diagnostics and genetics companies in the area plus the universities being so close really helps us seek the top talent as we look to recruit and grow our teams.
• The travel infrastructure is also key factor for an international business, with great links to international airports, trains and motorways.
• The genetics and diagnostics community, there is a hub of similar minded companies that work across the clinical and life-science sectors around the Manchester area – enabling networking and collaboration
• Manchester provides us with a great vibrant cultural city that is a big attraction for recruiting and keeping talent in the business. People want to work here!
• Being part of the life science hub, we have a great network of like-minded businesses that we can partner with or collaborate.
• Being so close to the university and hospitals is fantastic. We very much feel our location enables us to feel part of the life sciences and genetics community
• There is also a strong lifescience ecosystem and support network with partnering organisations such as MIDAS, Medilink, Bionow that facilitate export and inward investment opportunities