Introducing Pharmagene
- Pharmagene Discovery Services
- Feb 1
- 4 min read
Updated: Feb 6
We are delighted to share an important milestone in the evolution of our business.
This announcement marks the official launch of Pharmagene Discovery Services Ltd., as we return to our original trading name and embark on an exciting new chapter under the ownership of our co-founding management team. With the successful acquisition of the Royston laboratory operations, people and ongoing projects, Pharmagene continues a proud legacy that began nearly three decades ago, rooted in scientific excellence and leadership in human tissue-based research.
This transition represents far more than a change of ownership. It reinforces our long-standing commitment to delivering high-quality, innovative laboratory services that support the development of safer, more effective and more personalised medicines. With the same experienced team, facilities and deep expertise in place, our clients can expect continuity alongside renewed focus, agility and ambition as we invest in future growth.
Below, you can read the full press release announcing the launch of Pharmagene Discovery Services and outlining our vision for the next phase of the company’s journey.
Pharmagene Discovery Services announces its launch and acquisition of a human tissue laboratory business
Royston, 3 February 2026.
Pharmagene Discovery Services Ltd. (‘Pharmagene’) is pleased to announce its launch and that its co-founding management team has completed the asset purchase of an established human tissue laboratory business based near Cambridge, UK. The business is specialised in the performance of laboratory-based research services using consented human tissue across both preclinical and clinical settings. Originally founded back in 1996 and returning to its original trading name, the business has a unique heritage of conducting hundreds of human tissue studies for clients around the world in the three decades since.
Tom Mander, CEO and co-founder stated “We are thrilled to be taking on the business and are grateful to the previous owners for agreeing to sell the business to us. We inherit all the laboratory infrastructure, people and clients alongside all the know-how and expertise within the company. Amanda, Richard and I look forward to working with the life science community to continue to demonstrate the value of human tissue-based research. We are fully committed to supporting our clients with their discovery and translational research projects to develop safe, effective new medicines to treat disease.”
Amanda Woodrooffe, CSO and co-founder stated “Coinciding with the Royston UK scientific team celebrating 30 years of delivering human tissue-based research services to the biopharma industry, I am absolutely delighted that we have this opportunity to take the business forward to its next chapter. During my 25 years here, there have been many exciting technology developments across our industry. We have implemented new and advanced analytical platforms enabling a deep dive into understanding complex disease biology, developed tailored assays to support the emergence of advanced therapeutic modalities and, importantly, seen the broad adoption and impact of human tissue-based research supporting earlier decision making in the discovery and development of novel therapeutics. We apply our knowledge, experience, and innovative methods, maintaining a commitment to continuous learning and development to provide optimal scientific solutions tailored to each project.”
Richard Willock, CBO and co-founder stated “Throughout my time working in drug discovery, the industry’s adoption of in vitro preclinical human data has grown year upon year, and its relevance and value is now ubiquitously accepted across the scientific community. As a pioneer in this field with three decades of experience, Pharmagene is now poised to grow strongly as the partner of choice for companies requiring deep expertise in human tissue-based research. We will continue to invest and innovate, and as an agile specialist CRO provide a uniquely flexible and consultative solution to our clients.”
The team was supported in the transaction by expert advice from James Lawrence, Corporate Partner at HCR Legal LLP, Jo Showan, Partner and Head, Commercial at Moss Solicitors LLP and Sarah Lockhart-White, Corporate Tax Director at Whitings LLP.
About Pharmagene Discovery Services Ltd.
Originally founded in 1996 and operating from laboratories near Cambridge, UK, Pharmagene Discovery Services is built upon the scientific knowledge, expertise and reputation of its legacy, and remains one of the earliest established companies to focus on human tissue-based research. Leveraging these skills and experience, it specialises in tailored assay design and development, with a range of research services encompassing target expression, interrogation of spatial biology, functional cellular biology and bioassays, and biotherapeutic safety testing in human tissues and primary human cells. The facility operates to GLP and is licensed by the UK Human Tissue Authority.
Pharmagene has created and curates an in-house human tissue biorepository to support research for its clients, and in addition offers sample processing and biostorage services. With a wealth of knowledge of the human tissue research sector and having conducted hundreds of studies for life science researchers around the world over the past three decades, the business is uniquely placed to support its clients to develop safe and efficacious new therapies and associated biomarkers more rapidly and with greater confidence.
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