Cambridge-based property developer and investor Howard Group is delighted to confirm the renewal of Aqdot’s lease within the Iconix 2 Building at Unity Campus. The supramolecular chemistry company has signed a new agreement extending occupation of its existing 5,800 sq ft laboratory space for an additional five-years.
A valued member of the Iconix community for the last five years, Aqdot initially relocated to the popular research and development hub within the South Cambridge science and technology cluster in 2015, following its spin-out from the University of Cambridge. The Park, which is currently fully let, was first acquired by Howard Group in 2013 and has become a centre for knowledge intensive businesses operating across a number of innovative and diverse sectors. Current occupiers include Biocair, Iontas, Telensa and most recently, Liminal Biosciences; a global biotechnology company specialising in discovering, developing and commercialising novel small molecule compounds for respiratory, liver and renal diseases.
Aqdot harnesses its disruptive supramolecular chemistry to develop, license and sell novel proprietary products. Its technology is transformational across a wide range of industries including, household and personal care, fragrances, industrial chemicals, agrochemicals and pharmaceuticals. Aqdot Solutions works in partnership with customers to understand their challenges and develop solutions utilising Aqdot’s proprietary Aq™Bit technology in areas ranging from air filtering in transportation to the delivery of therapeutics for cancer. In parallel, Aqdot Products develops its own brands, working with partners on a distribution and ‘white-label’ basis and to develop market specific formulations.
Simon Messervy, Director – Property Services, Howard Group commented: “It has been a pleasure to work in partnership with Aqdot to agree a flexible lease, which takes into account the future aspirations of the organisation whilst also being sensitive to the current environment. Despite the challenges of the pandemic, Howard Group continues to stay in regular contact with tenants through video calls and email, and are doing our absolute utmost to ensure that they are able to get back into their buildings quickly and safely.
“We are committed to building long-lasting relationships with our tenants, which enables us to engage in lease discussions early and with a greater understanding of the focus and trajectory of their business. Our collective ability to agree and finalise Aqdot’s new lease without delay is testament to the strength of those relationships and the willingness of both parties to work together to reach an agreement, in spite of the currently challenging circumstances.”
Howard Group’s acquisition of Iconix Park followed the purchase of Sawston Trade Park in 2009 as part of a long held commitment to investing in and around the city of Cambridge. Further to an extensive, holistic master planning exercise, Unity Campus was created to encompass all of Howard Group’s Sawston assets. Through further phases of development, Unity Campus will bring together the office and laboratories of Iconix Park with new, high quality business and R&D accommodation on the adjacent land. The first phase of this development, The Works, which provides a total of 63,000 sq ft of flexible modern business space with suites available from 7,500 sq ft welcomed its first tenant, Get Busy, a fast-growing AIM listed software company with global operations focused on document management, communication and productivity solutions, earlier this year.
Neil Swift, Chief Financial Officer, Aqdot added: ”The team at Howard Group were professional and pleasant to deal with, showing adaptability and creativity in structuring a flexible lease renewal at relatively short notice during covid19 lockdown, which worked for Aqdot in both the short and medium term, allowing us to continue with our current lab/office setup at Iconix Park.
“Aqdot is currently raising a £7m growth round to accelerate its international B2B scaling of its revolutionary AqFresh odour and volatile organic compound-eliminating technology for improving air quality. The accessibility and the continuity of Iconix Park will serve as a perfect platform for Aqdot to realise its full commercial potential.”
