Ben Kemp, BIVDA’s Policy and Public Affairs Executive, was pleased to attend the Official Launch of the National Laboratories at LGC in Guildford on 17 October 2025.
The National Laboratories at LGC are composed of three critical national functions; The National Measurement Laboratory (NML), the Government Chemist and the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency’s (MHRA’s) chemical laboratories. These laboratories deliver trusted measurement science that public health, product safety, and innovation rely on across the economy, ensuring that data and products are accurate, reliable, and internationally comparable, whether measuring the purity of medicines, verifying the authenticity of food, or monitoring environmental pollutants.
“Much of the science that we benefit from every day, from new medicines to high food safety standards, is underpinned by the work of the National Measurement Laboratory and the Government Chemist. This new lab will ensure our facilities are fit for future as new opportunities develop in areas like advanced therapeutics and engineering biology, helping to improve lives and grow our economy through new discoveries.” said Lord Patrick Vallance, Minister for Science, Innovation, Research and Nuclear in the Department for Science, Innovation and Technology (DSIT) and the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero (DESNZ).
The new state-of-the-art, low-carbon laboratories, based on the Surrey Research Park in Guildford, connects national capability with a thriving innovation ecosystem of academia, the health service, and industry. This creates a national and global hub for measurement science that supports biological and chemical measurement research now and into the future.
“In an era of global uncertainty, this facility is a clear signal that the UK is investing in the foundations of science,” said Joydeep Goswami, President and CEO of LGC. “This investment demonstrates our long-term confidence in the UK’s scientific infrastructure and its continued importance to the world. From this state-of-the-art site, our scientists will support scientific innovation and strengthen the trust that every test, therapy and product depends upon.”
Following the launch, Ben stated: “It was an honour to attend this exclusive launch alongside many of the UK’s leading stakeholders in the life sciences sector. The impressive facilities and innovative partnerships within the laboratories and research park will play a crucial role in ensuring the UK remains a global leader in measurement science. BIVDA looks forward to seeing the groundbreaking work that will emerge from these laboratories and is committed to amplifying and supporting these achievements in the future.”
