Bioprocessing Scale-Up Centre
Scale your bioprocess from lab to pilot
FlexBIO is IBioIC's dedicated bioprocessing scale-up facility, offering pilot-scale fermentation and downstream processing services from 2L to 300L for UK and international biotech organisations.
IBioIC’s Bioprocessing Scale-Up Centres help startups, SMEs, and global innovators de-risk scale-up, improve yields, and accelerate commercialisation across industrial biotechnology.
We bridge the gap between early-stage R&D and industrial production using open-access pilot-scale facilities, expert technical teams, and hands-on process development support.
300L Largest bioreactor - pilot scale | 4 Bioreactor sizes: 2L · 7L · 30L · 300L | Integrated downstream processing | CL2 Containment Level 2 GLP facility | TRL 3 - 6 Primary commercial development zone
Member of:
Recognised bioprocess training centre of excellence
European open-access bioprocessing network
FlexBIO - At a glance
What? Pilot-scale bioprocessing - upstream & downstream, 2L to 300L
Where? Heriot-Watt University, Edinburgh EH14 4AS
Who? Startups, SMEs, large enterprise, academic spin-outs
Organisms? Yeast, bacteria, algae, plant cells, mammalian lines
Flagship: 300L bioreactor - containment level 2 certified
Access: Direct-use · Short-duration · Research services
Contact: scaleup@ibioic.com
Expert Infrastructure.
Without the CapEx.
Building your own pilot-scale facility costs millions and takes years. FlexBIO gives you access to world-class bioprocessing infrastructure - and the experienced team to run it - on a project-by-project basis.
Upstream Bioprocessing
Fermentation at 2L, 7L, 30L, and 300L. Fed-batch, batch, and continuous formats. Organism-agnostic process development.
Containment Level 2
Safe scale-up of wildtype and genetically modified organisms. CL2-certified suites with full biosafety protocols in place.
Downstream Processing
Harvest, cell disruption, filtration, purification, and final product form. Complete DSP workflow from broth to packaged product.
SME Discounts Available
Dedicated pricing tiers for startups and small businesses. Pilot-scale bioprocessing should be accessible at every stage of growth.
Analytical Support
Online and offline process analytics. Biomass, metabolite, product titre, and inhibitor monitoring tailored to your reporting needs.
European Network Access
Part of the Pilots4U open-access network - connecting European bioeconomy companies to pilot infrastructure and expertise.
Scotland's largest
open-access fermenter
300 litres
Working volume
Stirred tank bioreactor
Containment Level 2
The scale that changes your investor conversation
Running at 300L exposes the mixing effects, heat transfer limitations, and substrate gradients that simply don't appear at bench scale. It's the data that transforms a theoretical process into a commercially credible one - and it's available to you without building your own facility.
Fed-batch & batch modes Continuous centrifugation integration Full online process monitoring Expert engineer support Investor & CMC data packages
We work with
your organism
FlexBIO supports a broad range of microbial platforms. If yours isn't listed, contact us - our team's experience extends across a wide range of production hosts.
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Bacteria
E. coli, B. subtilis, and others
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Yeast
S. cerevisiae, P. pastoris, and others
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Algae
Microalgae, photobioreactor options
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Plant cells
Plant cell culture at pilot scale
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Mammalian
CHO, HEK293, and other cell lines
Built for every stage
of commercialisation
From pre-seed startups to established enterprises, FlexBIO supports organisations wherever they are in the scale-up journey.
Biotech Startups and SMEs
Demonstrate pilot-scale feasibility for your investors
If you have a validated lab-scale process and need to show what it looks like at 100L or 300L, FlexBIO provides the infrastructure and the data package to support your fundraise or partnership conversation.
✓ SME discounted rates available
Industrial R&D
Outsource pilot runs without building your own facility
Whether you need surge capacity, independent validation, or a demonstration batch for a partner, FlexBIO's research services model gives you a fully managed engagement with milestone reporting.
✓ Full confidentiality & IP protection
Academic Spin-Outs and Research Groups
Progress your TRL milestones with credible pilot data
Accessing UKRI, Innovate UK, or Horizon Europe funding increasingly requires demonstrated TRL progression. A FlexBIO scale-up run generates independently-operated pilot data with full technical reporting.
✓ IBioIC academic network access
Three ways to
access FlexBIO
Direct-Use Access
Your team works in our facility using our equipment, with our technical staff on-site for support. Best for organisations with in-house bioprocessing expertise who need supervised access to pilot-scale equipment.
You bring the expertise · We provide the equipment
Short-Duration Service
Our bioprocess engineers operate the equipment on your behalf for a defined, bounded scope of work. Ideal for organisations without dedicated process development resource or those needing rapid turnaround.
We operate the equipment · You approve the outputs
Research Services Contract
A structured multi-stage engagement with defined work packages, milestone sign-off, and comprehensive technical reporting. Suitable for longer programmes, CMC work, and regulatory-adjacent projects.
Full project management · Deliverable-based reporting
Ready to start your scale-up?
Every engagement starts with a free, confidential technical consultation. Tell us about your organism, your process, and your goals - we'll advise on the right approach and provide a proposal within 5 working days.
📧 scaleup@ibioic.com · We respond within 2 working days · All enquiries are confidential