FlexBIO Equipment Portfolio and Capabilities
FlexBIO is IBioIC's dedicated bioprocessing scale-up centre, housed within the John Coulson Building at Heriot-Watt University, Edinburgh. We bridge the gap between early-stage laboratory research and industrial-scale bioproduction - giving UK biotech companies, startups, and research organisations access to pilot-scale bioreactor infrastructure, expert technical support, and end-to-end process development services, without the capital expenditure of building their own facility.
Whether you're optimising a yeast fermentation for a sustainable chemical, demonstrating pilot-scale protein expression ahead of a Series A, or developing a downstream processing workflow for regulatory submission, FlexBIO provides the equipment, expertise, and operational flexibility to move your process from millilitres to hundreds of litres.
FlexBIO at a glance
What: Pilot-scale bioprocessing facility — upstream and downstream process development from 2L to 300L.
Where: John Coulson Building, Heriot-Watt University, Edinburgh, Scotland EH14 4AS.
Who: Commercial companies (startups to enterprise), academic spin-outs, international clients. SME discounts available.
Organisms: Yeast, bacteria, algae, plant cells, mammalian cell lines.
Flagship: 300-litre bioreactor under containment level 2; one of Scotland's largest publicly-accessible pilot fermentation vessels.
Contact: scaleup@ibioic.com · Part of the Pilots4U European open-access network.
Why FlexBIO?
The UK biotech ecosystem needs more pilot-scale infrastructure. Most companies working at TRL 3 - 6 face the same problem: their laboratory process works, but moving to pilot scale requires equipment they don't own, expertise they haven't built, and capital they'd rather deploy elsewhere.
FlexBIO solves this. As part of IBioIC, the Industrial Biotechnology Innovation Centre, funded by the Scottish Funding Council, we operate as a not-for-profit infrastructure resource with a genuine mission to accelerate UK biotech commercialisation. That means competitive pricing, targeted SME discounts, and access to one of the most experienced bioprocess development teams in Scotland.
Capabilities at a Glance
Bioreactor capacity:
2L, 7L, 30L, and 300L working volumes
Containment:
Containment Level 2 - safe scale-up of wildtype and engineered strains
Upstream processes:
Fed-batch and batch fermentation, continuous culture, perfusion
Downstream processes:
Centrifugation, cell disruption, microfiltration, ultrafiltration, chromatography, drying and packaging
Analytical support:
Online (OD, pH, DO) and offline biochemistry profiling; nutrient, product, and toxin monitoring
Organisms supported:
Bacteria (E. coli, B. subtilis and others), yeast (S. cerevisiae, P. pastoris), algae, plant cell cultures, mammalian cell lines
Feedstocks:
Standard defined media, complex substrates, biomass and waste streams
Upstream bioprocessing equipment
Downstream bioprocessing equipment
Who We Work With
FlexBIO supports organisations at every stage of commercialisation:
Biotech startups and SMEs - Demonstrating pilot-scale feasibility to de-risk investor conversations and grant applications. We offer discounted access rates specifically designed for early-stage companies.
Established companies - Outsourcing pilot-scale runs to avoid capital expenditure, validate process changes, or produce demonstration batches for partners and customers.
Academic spin-outs and research groups - Progressing TRL milestones, generating data for UKRI/Innovate UK applications, and accessing infrastructure not available within a university setting.
International companies - Accessing UK-based pilot infrastructure as part of a European scale-up strategy. FlexBIO is listed in the Pilots4U open-access network, connecting European bioeconomy companies to pilot and demo-scale facilities.
Access Models - How to Work with Us
Direct-use access: Your team works in our facility using our equipment, supported by our technical staff on-site. Best for companies with in-house expertise who need equipment access.
Short-duration service: Our bioprocess engineers operate the equipment on your behalf for a defined scope of work. Ideal for organisations without dedicated process development resource.
Research services contract: A structured multi-stage engagement with defined work packages, milestone reporting, and a full technical report. Suitable for longer development programmes and CMC work.
Our European Network
FlexBIO is a proud member of the Pilots4U network, powered by the COPILOT project, a European initiative providing open access to pilot and demonstration-scale infrastructure for the bioeconomy. Through this network, clients gain access to a community of scale-up expertise, equipment sharing, and cross-border collaboration opportunities.
FlexBIO is also a recognised centre of excellence for bioprocess training through the RESILIENCE programme, delivering skills development for the next generation of bioprocessing professionals across Europe.
Ready to discuss your scale-up project?
We offer a free, no-obligation initial consultation to discuss your process, your goals, and how FlexBIO can help. Get in touch with our team at scaleup@ibioic.com or complete the project enquiry form. We aim to respond within 2 working days.