A ceremony to mark the milestone moment was held on 1 May 2025.
Constructors Wilmott Dixon were joined at the site, part of Manchester Science Park, by representatives from:
- UK Biobank
- UK Research and Innovation (UKRI)
- Bruntwood Sci Tech
- The University of Manchester
Comprehensive source of health data
UK Biobank is the world’s most comprehensive source of health data used for research, providing access to de-identified data to approved researchers worldwide.
UK Biobank will occupy three floors of the cutting-edge 131,000 square foot new building.
When complete, it will include laboratory space and a latest-generation robotic freezer that stores and retrieves UK Biobank’s 20 million biological samples four times faster than before, revolutionising the pace of scientific discovery.
It will increase UK Biobank’s capacity, speed and efficiency and is supported by a £127.6 million award from the UKRI Infrastructure Fund for the next phase of UK Biobank’s development.
Working alongside life science businesses
UK Biobank is set to be located alongside fast-growth life science businesses working in diagnostics, genomics, biotech and precision medicine in the highly specialist purpose-built building.
The building will include specialist labs and features such as:
- increased vibration resistance
- piped gas distribution systems
- enhanced cooling and ventilation systems
- high security access
- 100GB superfast connectivity
New opportunities for collaboration
Relocation to the Greenheys site on Manchester Science Park will provide UK Biobank with new opportunities for collaboration with multidisciplinary researchers and industry.
It will also offer access to additional talent due to the proximity to leading institutions operating across research, academia, business and the NHS.
The new facility will be 100% electric and net zero carbon in construction and operation in its shared spaces, one of the first lab spaces in the UK to be so.
Investing in cutting-edge infrastructure
Jessica Boname, Associate Director for Infrastructure at UKRI, which has invested £127.6 million investment into UK Biobank from the UKRI Infrastructure Fund, part of which supports their new headquarters, said:
UKRI is proud to invest in cutting-edge infrastructure across the UK to drive discovery, strengthen innovative businesses and improve public services, creating a wide range of high-quality jobs.
This new facility at Manchester Science Park will help to drive increased research and innovation on disease prevention and treatment. The insights enabled by UK Biobank have already driven change in the NHS and we look forward to seeing this powerful resource continue to thrive.