Unilabs York Bioanalytical Solutions

What Unilabs York Bioanalytical Solutions does

Unilabs York Bioanalytical Solutions (legal entity York Bioanalytical Solutions Limited) is a UK-based contract research organization that provides regulated bioanalytical, metabolism, and biomarker services to pharmaceutical and biotechnology companies developing small and large molecule therapeutics. The company operates from GLP-certified laboratories in York (purpose-built facility since June 2002) and Copenhagen, with a dedicated discovery and metabolism facility at Discovery Park in Sandwich, Kent (opened October 2011). Service lines span chromatographic bioanalysis (LC-MS/MS using AB Sciex and Waters instrumentation), immunoassay-based bioanalysis (MSD electrochemiluminescence and related platforms), biomarker assay development and validation, in vitro ADME testing, metabolite characterization using high-resolution mass spectrometry (Waters Vion IMS QTof, Thermo LTQ Orbitrap), discovery bioanalysis, a library of pre-validated non-proprietary methods, and veterinary residue analysis. All work is supported by automated sample preparation (Hamilton Microlab STAR robotics, Spark-Holland online SPE) and managed via ThermoFisher Watson LIMS and Labnotes ELN.

YBS sells fee-for-service bioanalytical studies on a quote-based, project-specific pricing model to enterprise pharmaceutical sponsors (including a Top 5 Global Pharma), mid-market and small virtual pharma companies. Marketing is conducted primarily through scientific conference participation (European Bioanalysis Forum, Reid Bioanalytical Forum), publications, case studies, and direct engagement via the company website. The firm was founded in August 1999 by four experienced bioanalytical scientists at York University Science Park and was acquired by Unilabs Group in May 2008, becoming a wholly-owned subsidiary within a European laboratory network operating 210 laboratories across 14 countries with €2B in group turnover.

Name

Unilabs York Bioanalytical Solutions

Legal name

York Bioanalytical Solutions Limited

Website

https://yorkbio.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

1999

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

101–250 employees

Short description

Unilabs York Bioanalytical Solutions is a GLP/GCP-certified UK contract research organization providing bioanalytical, metabolism, and biomarker services to pharmaceutical and biotechnology companies from laboratories in York, Sandwich, and Copenhagen.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Bioanalytical Contract Research Services

NAICS

Research and Development in Biotechnology (except Nanobiotechnology) (541714), Medical Laboratories (621511)

SIC

Services-Commercial Physical & Biological Research (8731), Services-Testing Laboratories (8734), Services-Medical Laboratories (8071)

akta.pro primary industry

Bioanalytical Testing (PK/ADA/NAb) (HLAGADAA)

akta.pro secondary industries

Specialty & Biomarker Laboratory Services (Immunoassays/Flow/Cytometry) (HLAGAEAB), Clinical Biomarker Testing Services (central labs, trial enrollment/monitoring assays) (HLAAAMAC), Translational Medicine & Biomarkers (HLAIALAF)

Keywords

• Bioanalytical services
• Contract research services
• Mass spectrometry
• Biomarker analysis
• Drug metabolism

Headquarters

HQ city

Upper Poppleton

HQ country

United Kingdom

HQ region

Europe

Offices3 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Technology or R&D, Infrastructure, Supply Chain

Revenue model

1. Bioanalytical Contract Research Services: Contract research organization providing fee-for-service bioanalytical, metabolism and biomarker studies to pharmaceutical and biotech companies. Services include method development, validation, and sample analysis. Pricing is quote-based and project-specific.

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels1 record

Marketing channels4 records

Core offering

Unilabs York Bioanalytical Solutions is a specialist provider of bioanalytical, metabolism and biomarker services to pharmaceutical and biotech companies. The company operates GLP-certified laboratories in York, UK and Copenhagen, Denmark, plus a discovery and metabolism facility in Sandwich, Kent. Services span small and large molecule quantification using LC-MS/MS and immunoassay platforms, in vitro ADME testing, metabolite characterisation, validated biomarker panels, and veterinary residue analysis, supporting drug development from discovery through post-marketing regulatory submissions.

Product overview

Unilabs York Bioanalytical Solutions is a specialist provider of bioanalytical, metabolism, and biomarker services to pharmaceutical and biotech companies, supporting development of small and large molecule therapeutics from discovery through to post-marketing. The company operates from GLP-certified laboratories in York, UK and Copenhagen, Denmark, with additional discovery and metabolism facilities in Sandwich, Kent. The integrated service portfolio combines chromatography-based bioanalysis (LC-MS/MS using Waters and AB Sciex instruments), immunoassay methods (MSD electrochemiluminescence), in vitro ADME testing, metabolism characterisation, and validated biomarker panels—all supported by automated sample processing (Hamilton robots, Spark Holland systems) and LIMS/ELN systems (Watson LIMS, Labnotes). The York and Copenhagen sites handle regulated preclinical and clinical studies, while the Sandwich facility focuses on discovery bioanalysis and metabolism services.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Bioanalysis (Chromatographic Methods)

Quantifiable outcome

• Achieved ultra-sensitive LLOQ of 100 fg/mL in human plasma for highly potent drugs
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers6 records

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature5 records

Partnerships

One partnership is on record.

• Unilabs GroupcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 May 2008YBS York became part of the Unilabs Group of companies in May 2008. The integration enables logistics and biomarker services access and provides resources for investment in latest technology and continued growth while maintaining quality reputation. YBS is part of a leading European laboratory business operating in 14 countries with €2 Billion turnover.

Scale indicators6 records

Recent moves10 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• Frontage Laboratories: Bioanalytical and CMC CRO offering LC-MS/MS, immunoassay, and biomarker services to pharma/biotech. Directly comparable bioanalytical service portfolio with regulated and discovery capabilities.
• Inotiv: Bioanalytical CRO with GLP-validated LC-MS/MS and biomarker services for pharma/biotech drug development. Operates overlapping capabilities including PK, ADA, and biomarker assays comparable to YBS.
• Celerion: Specialist bioanalytical and clinical pharmacology CRO serving pharma and biotech with LC-MS/MS and immunoassay capabilities. Directly comparable in scope and customer base to Unilabs YBS.
• KCAS Bio: Niche bioanalytical CRO specializing in small and large molecule PK, biomarker, and immunogenicity assays using LC-MS/MS and ligand binding platforms. Closely matches YBS in size, scope, and customer type.

Broad incumbents

• Labcorp Drug Development (Covance): Global CRO with extensive bioanalytical, central lab, and biomarker services serving top pharma. Provides overlap with YBS regulated LC-MS/MS and immunoassay capabilities.
• ICON plc Bioanalytical Labs (formerly PRA/ClinPharm): Large global CRO with bioanalytical laboratories supporting clinical pharmacology, PK, and biomarker work for major pharma. Comparable regulated bioanalysis operations.
• WuXi AppTec (Laboratory Testing Division): Global CRO/CDMO with bioanalytical and biomarker services for pharma and biotech, including LC-MS/MS and immunoassay platforms. Direct service overlap with YBS.
• Charles River Laboratories: Global CRO with bioanalytical, safety, and discovery services; offers regulated bioanalysis, biomarkers, and metabolism as part of a broad CRO portfolio overlapping YBS offerings.
• Syneos Health Bioanalytical Services: Clinical and bioanalytical CRO with GLP-regulated bioanalysis, biomarkers, and immunoassay services for global pharma. Comparable regulated bioanalytical offerings.
• Eurofins Bioanalytical Services: European-headquartered CRO with bioanalytical, biomarker and pharmacokinetic services. Geographic and capability proximity to YBS, particularly in Europe.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/yorkbio

Compliance8 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles1 record

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Unilabs York Bioanalytical Solutions