Over 80 new jobs will be created at the Brixham Laboratory over the next three years with financial backing and support from Plymouth University and Torbay Council.
The planned growth in jobs will be led by Scymaris, a new company that has relaunched the former Astra Zeneca Brixham Environmental Laboratory, situated at Freshwater Quarry in Brixham.
Scymaris becomes the anchor tenant at Brixham Laboratory providing unrivalled environmental laboratory testing services to pharmaceutical, agrochemical and chemical industries across the globe. The campus, which is owned by Plymouth University, is also currently home to 25 other local companies.
Professor Simon Payne, Deputy Vice-Chancellor of Plymouth University said, “The agreement with Scymaris is an important milestone in our plans to reinvigorate Brixham Laboratory. A world class facility, we want it to become a hub of excellence and expertise that complements our existing reputation as global leader in marine and maritime research. Having an ambitious anchor tenant with such strong regional connections will help us to deliver on those goals, creating highly-skilled jobs that will underpin sustainable growth.”
Tim Derrington, CEO of Scymaris said, “Brixham Laboratory is an outstanding facility with a deep history of environmental laboratory testing. We expect strong demand from customers, across Europe, US and Asia based on our ability to uniquely provide direct access to both marine and freshwater laboratory testing services. A number of environmental laboratory tests are generally required as part of the approval process for new pharmaceutical or chemical product. Understanding any potential impact on the environment is critical. In October we will be meeting with several potential customers in Germany who are interested in the services we can offer.”
Torbay’s Elected Mayor and Lead for Finance and Regeneration, Gordon Oliver said, “Scymaris locating here recognises the world class laboratory facilities, the skilled workforces available in Torbay and the opportunity to leverage from 65 years of scientific excellence. Torbay Council and the TDA are committed to maximising job creation, and this investment will be assisted through our business growth support and the Torbay Growth Fund.”
Future growth in environmental laboratory testing is expected to be strong due to the growing importance of environmental protection and ongoing need for innovative new products in the pharmaceutical and chemical industries globally. Torbay Council is supporting Scymaris using funding from the Torbay Growth Fund to support positive growth and jobs across the Bay. The company has also been supported by TDA, Heart of the South West LEP and the Department for International Trade.
Scymaris is one of only a small number of testing laboratories across the world which have direct access to both marine and freshwater capabilities. Companies who wish to market chemicals, pharmaceuticals and agrochemicals must obtain government approvals to do so which requires this type of specialised laboratory testing.
