Gen Two, the family-run life sciences developer and investor, announces the successful acquisition of British biotech trailblazer Constructive Bio the sole occupant of its newly completed laboratory facility, ‘The Recodery,’ located in Whittlesford, Cambridge.
Constructed with a vision to foster innovation and advancement in the life sciences sector, ‘The Recodery’ spans approximately 11,000 square feet and is the result of Gen Two’s planning and redevelopment efforts over the past 12 months.
The state-of-the-art facility is set within the South Cambridge biotech cluster, demonstrating Gen Two’s commitment to creating specialised environments for the growth of the next generation of biotech innovators.
Constructive Bio, founded in 2022 with £12.4 million in seed investment to scale and commercialise the synthetic biology research led by Professor Jason Chin, has relocated its headquarters from a 2,000 square feet workspace at an established nearby research park to ‘The Recodery.’
The move signifies Constructive Bio’s strategic alignment with Gen Two’s commitment to providing high-quality lab spaces tailored to the unique needs of life sciences companies.
Backed by prominent deeptech investors such as Ahren, Amadeus Capital Partners, OMX Ventures, and General Inception, Constructive Bio has created methods for reprogramming the genetic code of living organisms.
This research allows the creation of organisms with new genetic codes, exhibiting remarkable properties such as resistance to a variety of viruses, the ability to produce synthetic polymers, and the performance of entirely new functions.
Gen Two’s transformation of the former industrial warehouse into ‘The Recodery’ involved a significant power supply upgrade and the creation of bespoke lab interiors.
The facility is equipped with ducted fume cupboards, breakout spaces, design-led offices, meeting rooms, and an adaptable boardroom to facilitate activity-based working.
Sustainability was a key focus throughout the redevelopment process, resulting in ‘The Recodery’ being certified as EPC ‘A’-rated, aligning with Gen Two’s commitment to environmentally conscious development.
Ariel Levy, co-founder of Gen Two, expressed, “We set out to deliver a future-proofed lab scheme which is fit for purpose at The Recodery. This project marks an important proof of concept for us as we aim to roll out our approach to life sciences development in key biotech clusters across the UK.”
Ola Wlodek, CEO of Constructive Bio, acknowledged Gen Two’s commitment to excellence, stating, “Gen Two’s expertise in developing properties specifically for the life sciences is not just commendable; it is a clear indication of their visionary approach to creating spaces that produce innovation and progress.”
Commercial real estate adviser COREP represented Gen Two in the transaction, while JLL acted for Constructive Bio.
Contractor Area was responsible for the interior design and fitting-out of ‘The Recodery’ on behalf of Gen Two.
Cambridge-based life sciences membership organisation One Nucleus is advising Constructive Bio on operational design.
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