Innovation Labs: What Are They and Why Are They Crucial for the Future of Science?

Innovation labs sit at the heart of the UK’s life sciences and health tech industries, providing the space, infrastructure and environment required to solve some of society’s most urgent health challenges. Supporting early-stage clinical breakthroughs, fully-fledged research and development pipelines, these labs are where pioneering discoveries take shape.

At Bruntwood SciTech, innovation is built into everything we do - from the specialist lab space we create through to the collaborative science and technology campuses we operate. This blog explores what innovation labs really are, how they function across our locations like Citylabs and Alderley Park, and why they’re central to the UK’s growing science and innovation economy.

What are Innovation Labs?

Innovation labs are specialist environments designed to support research, experimentation and product development. In the life sciences sector, this often includes wet or dry laboratory facilities, equipment for sample analysis, and secure areas for biotechnology and pharmaceutical testing.

But innovation labs aren’t just physical spaces - they’re ecosystems. Equipped with the latest technology and supported by high-spec infrastructure, they give scientific teams the platform to test new hypotheses and take bold ideas from concept to commercialisation.

The Role of Innovation Labs in Science

In an era of rapid health innovation, the role of the lab has never been more vital. These controlled environments enable precision work in disciplines like genomics, diagnostics, medtech and AI in healthcare. Whether it’s supporting vaccine development or trialling novel therapeutics, innovation labs allow companies and researchers to experiment, iterate and move science forward - safely, securely and at pace.

Bruntwood SciTech’s Approach to Laboratory Spaces

At Bruntwood SciTech, our labs have been designed in partnership with the organisations who use them. With over 20 years’ experience developing innovation infrastructure in the UK, we understand the challenges growing companies face - and we’ve built the lab space to meet them.

BSL 1 Labs

Biological Safety Level 1 (BSL 1) labs are suitable for low-risk research where the materials handled are unlikely to cause disease. These are ideal for early-stage research, diagnostics development, and non-pathogenic work, and they offer a safe yet flexible entry point for startups and academic spinouts. Bruntwood SciTech offers BSL 1 facilities across a range of campuses - including within our open access labs.

CL2 Labs

Our Containment Level 2 (CL2) laboratories are engineered to handle moderate-risk biological agents, providing specialist conditions for more advanced R&D. These labs typically include autoclaves, enhanced ventilation and biosecurity features - allowing scientists to conduct complex experimentation in areas like virology, molecular biology and microbiome analysis. Greenheys at Manchester Science Park is one of several Bruntwood SciTech sites offering CL2 lab space as part of wider life science ecosystems.

Open Access Labs

Bruntwood SciTech’s open access labs, such as those at Alderley Park, allow early-stage companies and individual researchers to rent bench space without committing to full laboratory leases. This model gives businesses access to shared equipment, on-site support and flexibility - ideal for those in the early stages of growth. It’s a key part of how we lower the barriers to entry and help innovation thrive from day one.

Case Study: Key Bruntwood SciTech Innovation Sites

Bruntwood SciTech’s innovation labs are embedded within some of the UK’s most advanced science and innovation parks, each designed to support the life sciences and tech sectors. Providing specialist laboratory facilities, flexible workspace and collaborative ecosystems, these flagship sites demonstrate how infrastructure and innovation go hand in hand. Let’s take a closer look at three of the most pioneering examples.

Citylabs

Located on the Oxford Road Corridor and part of Manchester’s Innovation District, Citylabs is a joint venture between Bruntwood SciTech and Manchester University NHS Foundation Trust. This flagship site is home to health tech and diagnostics companies working at the intersection of healthcare and digital innovation. With newly developed sites such as Citylabs 4.0, a location with CL2 labs, write up space and office space, the campus continues to drive forward the future of health innovation in Manchester.

Alderley PArk

Alderley Park in Cheshire is one of the UK’s largest single-site life science campuses. Home to more than 250 companies, it offers a wide range of specialist lab space, including early-stage innovation benches and scale-up infrastructure. With access to advanced equipment, a thriving community and flexible leasing options, it’s an ideal base for companies driving health and drug discovery innovation.

Greenheys

Part of Manchester Science Park, Greenheys is a cutting-edge new development providing state-of-the-art CL2 lab and office space, targeting net zero carbon operation. Set to complete in 2026, the £60 million investment will unlock 131,000 sq ft of space and act as a home for companies working across diagnostics, precision medicine, and health tech.

The Value of Innovation Labs for Life Science Companies

Innovation labs don’t just offer space. For life science companies, they provide the ideal environment to scale ideas into breakthroughs. From accelerating R&D to attracting top-tier talent and investment, the right lab infrastructure can be the difference between early promise and long-term impact. At Bruntwood SciTech, these labs are purpose-built to support the growth journeys of pioneering health tech, biotech and pharma businesses - placing collaboration, accessibility and innovation at their core.

Attracting Talent and Investment

High-quality lab space is a critical factor for life science companies looking to scale. Innovation labs signal credibility, help attract top talent, and enable access to funding from investors who value the infrastructure needed to support cutting-edge R&D.

Fostering Collaboration and Knowledge Sharing

At Bruntwood SciTech campuses, innovation labs don’t sit in isolation. They’re embedded in places where startups, researchers, healthcare providers and universities work side by side - helping spark new ideas and accelerate breakthroughs through everyday collaboration.

Accelerating Research and Development

Purpose-built lab space allows companies to move quickly from testing to trial. With access to facilities designed for iterative research and safety compliance, teams can make confident progress without compromising timelines or budgets.

Enabling Access to Advanced Infrastructure

From high-speed connectivity to on-site conferencing and specialist cleanrooms, innovation labs at Bruntwood SciTech are backed by wider site infrastructure that supports all aspects of scientific business growth - starting from ideation to international expansion.

In Conclusion

Innovation labs are more than places to work - they’re engines of progress. At Bruntwood SciTech, we believe in creating world-class laboratory spaces that empower life science organisations to develop, collaborate and deliver real-world impact.

Whether you're a startup searching for a CL2 lab or a global business looking to expand into Manchester’s thriving innovation scene, we’re here to help. Explore lab space across our locations or get in touch to find out how we can support your business today.