Town’s MP delights in appliance of science
SHE HAILS THE INVESTMENT IN THRIVING SCIENCE PARK
A LABORATORY which is processing tens of thousands of Covid-19 tests a day has been officially opened.
Jane Hunt, MP for Loughborough, cut the ribbon at the former Lighthouse Lab at Charnwood Campus, which has been acquired by Dante Labs, a worldleading whole genome sequencing specialist.
The Charnwood lab is operational around the clock, seven days a week, and will deliver Covid-19 RT-PCR testing and clinical whole genome sequencing at scale.
It uses smart automation and machine learning to enable superior precision, with the capacity to process 50,000 Covid-19 tests a day.
The lab will initially employ 100 people from the area, with ambitions to treble this number.
A ribbon-cutting ceremony was held on Friday before guests took advantage of a walkthrough of the facilities alongside Ms Hunt and the leader of Chanwodd Borough Council, Jonathan Morgan.
The move by Dante Labs represents a substantial investment in Charnwood Campus, a science, innovation and technology park, which already hosts dozens of world-leading businesses.
Ms Hunt said: “It is wonderful to see these facilities back in operation and I am delighted to welcome Dante Labs to the constituency.
“Their undoubted commitment to the area is hugely welcome, and I thank them for their long-term investment in Charnwood Campus.”
Andrea Riposati, Dante Labs’ chief executive officer, said: “We were honoured to host Jane Hunt and Jonathan Morgan to formally open our facilities at the Charnwood Campus. It is a thriving life sciences community which we are excited to be a part of.
“Not only will the lab help accelerate the UK’s Covid-19 testing and sequencing capability, it will also see us invest in the vibrant community.
“Our expertise in whole genome sequencing and testing means this lab will immediately play a crucial role in managing the Covid-19 pandemic, and in the next decades to enable whole genome-based personalised medicine across the world.”
Gosia Khrais, of Charnwood Campus, said: “It is a testament to the quality of our facilities that a company of Dante Labs’ size and stature has chosen to put down roots here. We are pleased to play host to world-leading life sciences experts, and Dante Labs make an excellent addition.”