Pharmagene was founded in 1996 by Dr Gordon Smith-Baxter and Dr Bob Coleman, who left Glaxo and SmithKline Beecham with a shared belief that drug discovery needed better preclinical models based on real human disease biology to reduce clinical attrition. They established one of the world’s first human tissue research companies, building an unprecedented network of approved clinical sites to supply fully consented human biomaterials for research. Recognising the broader value of this capability, Pharmagene expanded into specialist research services for the biopharma industry. Following a successful IPO in 2000, the company grew both its internal discovery programmes and services business, while helping shape the ethical and regulatory framework for human tissue research in the UK, contributing to the development of the Human Tissue Act and its Codes of Practice.

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In 2006 Pharmagene shifted its focus fully to research services and merged with US-based Asterand Inc. Over the following years, under successive owners including Asterand Biosciences, BioIVT and Precision for Medicine, the company broadened its expertise from preclinical human tissue research into clinical biomarker assay development and trial sample testing. This evolution strengthened its ability to design translational research with a clear path from early discovery to clinical application. Still operating from its original Royston site, the business has now returned to local owners and, in recognition of its heritage and enduring mission, once again proudly operates under its original name: Pharmagene Discovery Services Ltd.