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FlexBIO Scale-Up Centre


IBioIC’s bioprocessing scale-up centre offers a comprehensive approach to support your innovation journey and training needs.

 
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Welcome to FlexBIO

FlexBIO is IBioIC’s cutting-edge bioprocessing facility, purpose-built to de-risk the scale-up of both Upstream and Downstream bioprocesses. Located within the John Coulson Building, Heriot-Watt University, FlexBIO serves as a dynamic bridge between early-stage R&D and industrial-scale production, supporting innovators in biotechnology, biomanufacturing, and life sciences.​ We are a recognised centre of excellence for bioprocess training through the RESILIENCE program, enabling us to empower the next generation of bioprocessing professionals.

FlexBIO is proud to be part of the “Pilots4U powered by COPILOT” initiative, which promotes open-access pilot and demo scale-up infrastructure across Europe. Through the COPILOT project, the Pilots4U database is being enhanced to support the European bioeconomy, while fostering stakeholder communities through dedicated “Scale-Up & Growth” and “Exchange & Connect” programs.

Why We Exist

​To empower researchers, startups, and established enterprises by providing a flexible, cost-effective, and scalable bioprocessing environment—helping you move confidently from millilitres to 100s of litres.

What We Offer

  • End-to-end scale-up services for upstream and downstream processes​

  • Operations at pilot scale with bioreactors and processing systems up to 300L​

  •  Versatile microbial platforms including Yeast, Bacteria, Algae, Plant and Mammalian cells​

  •  Containment level 2 facilities enabling safe scale-up of wildtype or engineered strains, with expertise in diversefeedstocks including biomass and waste​

Whether you're optimising protein expression, metabolite production, or biomass yields, our facility is equippedto support your process development journey.​

Why Choose FlexBIO?

  • Access state-of-the-art equipment and expert technical support​

  • Enjoy discounted rates for start-ups and SMEs, supporting innovation at all stages​

  • Collaborate with academic researchers and industry experts​

  • Join IBioIC as a member to multiply the benefits of working with FlexBIO​

Explore how FlexBIO can help you scale up and innovate with confidence.

FlexBIO focuses on de-risking the scale-up of upstream and downstream bioprocesses using equipment at semi-pilot scale. 

Located within the John Coulson building, Heriot Watt University.

  • Offers scale-up of upstream and downstream bioprocesses using equipment at semi-pilot (up to 30L) scale

  • Specialising in various microorganisms such as yeast, bacteria, algae and plant cells

  • Professional and cost-effective service with access to discounts for SMEs to help scale your process from mL’s to litres