Vortex Biotech Holdings has opened a new laboratory facility at Manchester Science Park as part of its expansion strategy to increase research and development capacity for its liquid biopsy platform and accelerate commercial delivery of non-invasive cancer diagnostics.

The Manchester site is designed to GLP-ready specifications and is intended to support future clinical trial activity as well as product and services development. The company said the facility will also act as its European research hub, with planned collaborations in single-cell analysis, molecular profiling and AI-driven data integration.

Vortex develops technology to isolate and enrich circulating tumour cells and other rare biomarkers from blood samples, supporting early cancer detection, disease monitoring and translational research. The company said the Manchester laboratory will support ongoing programmes in clinical validation, biomarker discovery and commercial services.

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.”

The company marked the opening with a launch event at the Manchester site, attended by regional stakeholders, investors and members of the local innovation ecosystem. The event included presentations from Vortex management and lead investor EMV Capital, as well as remarks from Andy Burnham, mayor of Greater Manchester, followed by laboratory tours and technology demonstrations.

Joe Manning, managing director at MIDAS, Manchester’s inward investment agency, said: “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.

“The company chose our city region because we offer direct access to the University of Manchester’s research capabilities, partnerships through the NHS Manchester Foundation Trust, and a talented workforce. The expansion will create new skilled jobs in diagnostics, science, data and operations, with a commitment to developing local talent through apprenticeships and early-career pathways.”

Vortex said the expansion is supported by EMV Capital and is intended to strengthen its collaboration network and accelerate its commercialisation pathway for liquid biopsy-based diagnostics. The company positions its platform as a tool for high-sensitivity cancer detection and monitoring, as well as for translational research applications.

The opening reflects continued investment in UK-based life sciences infrastructure, with Manchester Science Park positioning itself as a cluster for diagnostics, data-driven biology and translational research. For Vortex, the move from London to Manchester is intended to improve access to academic partnerships, clinical samples and specialist talent while scaling laboratory capacity to support development programmes.

Liquid biopsy technologies are increasingly being integrated into oncology research and clinical development pipelines, with companies seeking to improve early detection and monitoring using minimally invasive sampling methods. Vortex’s expansion aims to support these efforts by increasing laboratory throughput and collaborative research activity in the UK and Europe.