Alan Mackenzie, bid director and sector lead for life sciences & commercial at McLaughlin & Harvey

As the UK’s innovation ecosystem continues to evolve, there is growing demand for flexible, adaptable laboratories and workspaces that meet the bespoke requirements of cutting-edge businesses in both established and emerging fields. Since July 2025, the life sciences sector has attracted £3bn in new public-private investment, reflecting sustained confidence in the UK’s position as a global leader in science and innovation.

Within the Golden Triangle of London, Oxford and Cambridge, 3.3m sq. ft of life sciences space is currently under construction and a further 6.5m sq. ft has received planning permission, demonstrating the scale of activity in the sector.

At the heart of this, McLaughlin & Harvey have delivered more than 550,000 sq. ft of lab space in the Golden Triangle, creating buildings that are as forward-thinking as the research taking place within them. And, with a further 950,000 sq. ft in the pipeline, we are working collaboratively with clients and our supply chain partners to meet sustainability objectives and set new standards.

Showcase: Our work with Breakthrough Properties

Since 2023, we’ve been working in partnership with Breakthrough Properties on the delivery of two landmark life sciences developments. For Trinity by Breakthrough, Oxford, the ambition was to create one of the most sustainable laboratory environments in the world, attracting leading biotech, pharmaceutical and genomics organisations.

To achieve this goal, a shared vision was key. At the earliest stage, we aligned with our supply chain partners on the main priorities: sustainability, quality and commercial performance, enabling us all to work towards common goals. To appeal to forward-thinking organisations, we knew that we needed to challenge traditional approaches and embrace alternative solutions.

As a project team, we developed a bespoke raft foundation solution incorporating a ventilated basement void, renewable energy technologies and critical thinking. This approach led to multiple achievements; WELL Platinum, EPC A and BREEAM Outstanding certification – an accolade that only 1% of new non-domestic properties achieve.

Testament to project success and client satisfaction, we were approached once in contract to price one floor of full turnkey lab fit-out. We did this in competition and were successful in being awarded this Studio Laboratories floor plate, which we committed to completing in line with the Main Construction Programme.

The success of Trinity by Breakthrough laid the foundations for our next project with the client: Vitrum by Breakthrough, located at St John’s Innovation Park in Cambridge. This world-class building is purpose-built to support the success of businesses in the life science sector, creating an environment in which innovation and collaboration can thrive.

Trinity by Breakthrough’s flexible tenant use, sustainability and coordinated delivery recently saw it named Best New Building at the Construction News & Property Week Life Science, Tech & Research Clusters Awards and Breakthrough has been shortlisted for Client of the Year in the Building Awards.

“What is essential is to have a good construction partner. On our Trinity development in Oxford, McLaughlin & Harvey was a phenomenal contractor. And, on that basis, we negotiated our Vitrum development with them and again they have continued to be an exceptional partner”.

Thomas Renn, Senior Vice President (Acquisitions & Development, Europe)
Breakthrough Properties

A new era for life sciences development

Our work with Breakthrough Properties sets a new standard for quality and highlights the benefits of intentional design and purpose-built spaces for research and development.

We are continuing to drive innovation in this sector at 105 Judd Street in London, where we are refurbishing and extending a prestigious office building to deliver adaptable laboratory and office space for life sciences and technology businesses on behalf of Native Land and Ashby Capital for full tenancy by Life Arc – the largest life sciences letting in the UK in 2025. The lab-enabled specification allows for easy conversion of office floors to laboratory space, meeting the needs of occupants both now and in the future.

However, to build on the development momentum, we must look beyond the Golden Triangle to the places that are not yet on the map for life sciences. To shift the focus to these overlooked areas, we have commissioned research which has created the Alchemy Towns Index, assessing 40 UK towns and cities for their future life sciences development potential.