We've relocated from London to Manchester, now tech developed here will enable earlier cancer detection
Vortex Biotech Holdings has opened its advanced laboratory facilities at Manchester Science Park in an expansion that will anchor the company’s European R&D operations in Greater Manchester.
The move enhances the company’s R&D and commercial delivery capacity and strengthens its position in liquid biopsy technologies for precision oncology. The laboratories are designed to GLP-ready specifications, allowing future expansion into clinical trial support and commercial product and services development.
The site also serves as the company’s European hub for research partnerships, with planned collaborations in single-cell analysis, molecular profiling, and AI-driven data integration.
Backed by EMV Capital, Vortex’ proprietary liquid biopsy platform isolates and enriches circulating tumour cells (CTCs) and other rare biomarkers from blood samples, enabling high-sensitivity cancer detection, monitoring, and translational research.
The Manchester facility will accelerate the company’s ongoing programmes in clinical validation, biomarker discovery, and commercial services development.
Nigel Brooksby, non-executive chairman at Vortex, said: "The establishment of our laboratory at Manchester Science Park is a strategic step in expanding collaborations with leading academic and clinical institutions and positions the company for growth.
"The park’s proximity to the University of Manchester, NHS Manchester Foundation Trust, and a thriving life sciences ecosystem provides direct access to world-class expertise, clinical samples, and translational infrastructure essential for advancing liquid biopsy into clinical practice."
To mark the opening, Vortex hosted a formal launch event at its new Manchester facilities, bringing together regional stakeholders, investors, and members of the Greater Manchester innovation ecosystem.
The event included presentations from the Vortex management team and from EMV Capital, the deep tech and life sciences investment group and Vortex’s lead investor, as well as remarks from Andy Burnham, mayor of Greater Manchester.
Joe Manning, managing director at MIDAS, Manchester’s Inward Investment Agency, added: "Vortex Biotech’s decision to relocate from London to Manchester Science Park shows what Greater Manchester can offer life sciences companies looking to scale.
"The technology developed will enable earlier cancer detection through blood samples, strengthening Greater Manchester’s position in cancer diagnostics."