OREANDA-NEWS. Wetherby and Cambridge, UK, 16th August 2016: Avacta Group plc (AIM: AVCT) ("Avacta" or "the Group"), the developer of Affimer® biotherapeutics and research reagents, today announced it has opened two new facilities, in Cambridge and Wetherby, Yorkshire. The new buildings almost double the Company's overall footprint, which increases from 9,500 to 18,500 sq ft, including new state-of-the-art laboratory facilities.

The new laboratories and office space have been established to allow for operations at both sites to expand to meet increasing commercial demands and accommodate Avacta's growing R&D programme.

The new Cambridge site is located on the Lion Works Business Park in Whittlesford, and covers 5,500 sq ft, of which ~70% houses laboratories. In Wetherby, the Thorp Arch Estate has provided a new 13,000 sq ft building which Avacta has fitted with offices and laboratories accommodating around 60 FTEs.

Dr Alastair Smith, Chief Executive Officer, Avacta, said: "I am delighted with the new labs that the Company now has in place in Wetherby and Cambridge. The teams will be working in truly world class facilities that will also help in attracting talented new staff and will present the Company well to potential customers and partners."