International real estate business Pembroke has announced that biotechnology company Epoch Biodesign has signed a new lease at 10 Finsbury Square in central London.
A pioneer in synthetic biology, Epoch Biodesign will occupy 12,150 sq ft in 10 Finsbury Square’s Green Room, a recently reimagined fitted workspace offering a high-spec agile working environment including adaptable studio, lab-space, and substantial end-of-trip facilities to support their growing workforce. The company’s move into the City of London highlights the area’s growing attraction for life sciences innovators who want to ensure they are located near the best UK talent.
Founded in 2019, Epoch Biodesign is the Total BioDesignTM company developing natural solutions to unnatural problems, including designing enzymes that transform plastic waste into everyday chemicals. The company is backed by $14.5m in venture funding from leading investors such as Lowercarbon Capital. Epoch Biodesign plan to use their new space to expand their protein engineering platform, grow their R&D team and scale their first process to transform plastic waste.
As a developer of sustainable technologies, they have also taken the opportunity to create a London HQ which aligns with their own sustainable values. The property, which achieved BREEAM Excellent on completion, provides low-carbon heating through a ground source heat pump; has a green roof to support local wildlife and reduce the “urban heat island effect”; as well as providing innovative water conservation measures including rainwater harvesting.
Sandra Cooper, Director, Asset Management at Pembroke, comments: “The strong environmental and wellbeing credentials of 10 Finsbury Square were fundamental to securing an innovative occupier like Epoch Biodesign, offering the space and facilities that support a growing business. The arrival of Epoch Biodesign also aligns with our own sustainability goals as we look to reach Net Zero Carbon across our portfolio by 2035 or sooner. Pembroke aims to work with our tenants to reduce operational waste and greenhouse gas emissions, and with Epoch Biodesign has found a partner who is designing solutions to tackle these issues.”
Jacob Nathan, CEO Epoch Biodesign, comments: “We’re excited to embark on the next stage of our company’s development by taking up space in this fantastic building. 10 Finsbury Square is an excellent new home for us as we expand our team, capabilities and progress our ground-breaking first product.”
Jade Dedman, Associate at Savills, comments: “The Covid 19 pandemic has shone a spotlight on the strength and depth of the UK’s science market which continues to develop. In Central London we are seeing ever more appetite for space from life science players, for both traditional office space and more bespoke labs. Like many other sectors, these businesses recognise London’s unrivalled pool of talent. Relative to Cambridge and Oxford, our colleagues in Savills Science note that London remains a new and emerging hub for life sciences, presenting huge scope for growth.”
Pembroke’s London portfolio comprises 580,000 sq ft of high quality, modern workspace in some of the Capital’s most prominent and high-profile locations in Mayfair and the City of London, having just completed a landmark revitalisation of 25 Cannon Street and with a full transformation of 41 Lothbury underway.
Pembroke was advised by Savills.
