IonOpticks, a specialist developer of high-performance chromatography columns for proteomics and life science research, has strengthened its European operations with the opening of a new headquarters and applications laboratory at Milton Park in Oxfordshire.
The Australian company has secured 2,940 sq ft (273 sq m) of laboratory and office accommodation at 127 Olympic Avenue, creating a dedicated base to support its growing customer network across the UK and mainland Europe.
Founded in Melbourne in 2017, IonOpticks was established by scientists with the aim of improving liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry (LC-MS) workflows. Today, its chromatography columns are widely used by researchers seeking greater analytical sensitivity, reproducibility and throughput in proteomics studies. The technology supports research into cancer, neurological disease, biomarker identification and drug discovery, helping scientists generate more reliable data and accelerate biological research.
The new Milton Park facility brings inventory, technical expertise and applications support closer to European laboratories, enabling faster product delivery and more responsive customer service. It will also provide a hub for collaborative method development, allowing researchers to work more closely with IonOpticks specialists when optimising LC-MS workflows.
By establishing a permanent presence in the UK, the company aims to offer local support within European time zones, strengthening relationships with universities, research institutes and commercial laboratories while expanding its role beyond that of a traditional laboratory consumables supplier.
Milton Park is recognised as one of the UK's leading innovation communities and is home to a wide range of biotechnology and life sciences organisations. Companies including Immunocore, Vertex Pharmaceuticals and New England Biolabs are based on the park alongside a growing cluster of emerging scientific businesses. Its location also provides close connections to the University of Oxford, Harwell Campus and the wider Oxford-Cambridge innovation ecosystem.
Xavier Perronnet, Chief Executive Officer of IonOpticks, said: "Opening our European headquarters at Milton Park represents an important milestone for the company. The Park offers access to a thriving scientific community and allows us to provide faster delivery, local applications expertise and closer collaboration with customers throughout the UK and Europe.
"As our international business continues to grow, this investment gives us the infrastructure to expand our regional team while supporting researchers with both innovative chromatography solutions and technical knowledge. We've already welcomed several UK-based employees to the new facility and are excited to become part of the wider Milton Park community."
Clare Fleet, Asset Manager for Milton Park at Federated Hermes Real Estate, added: "IonOpticks further strengthens the Park's reputation as a destination for innovative life science businesses. The company's expertise in proteomics and analytical science complements our growing community of organisations developing technologies that have the potential to transform healthcare and scientific research.
"We look forward to supporting IonOpticks as it continues to grow its UK and European operations from Milton Park."
Milton Park is one of the UK's largest single-ownership science and technology communities, accommodating more than 280 organisations across research, innovation and commercial sectors. The campus combines flexible laboratory and office space with modern infrastructure and a wide range of on-site amenities, providing an environment where science and technology businesses can develop, collaborate and scale.
