Bruntwood SciTech has secured a major letting at Melbourn Science Park that is expected to deliver a significant employment boost for the Cambridge life sciences cluster, after cell therapy specialist Cellular Origins announced plans to double its workforce.
The company has taken the 41,000 sq ft Da Vinci Building—previously occupied by AstraZeneca—to establish its new global headquarters in the heart of the UK’s renowned ‘Golden Triangle’ of research and development.
The move marks a major step in Cellular Origins’ expansion strategy following its Series A funding round in late 2025, with the new facility designed to support both scaling operations and hiring. The company confirmed that the additional space will underpin plans to significantly grow headcount, reinforcing Cambridge’s position as a hub for high-skilled jobs in advanced therapies and biomanufacturing.
At the new site, Cellular Origins will continue development of its Constellation platform—an automated manufacturing system aimed at enabling large-scale production of cell therapies. The increased capacity is expected not only to accelerate product development but also to create a broader range of roles across engineering, manufacturing, and operations.
Chief executive Edwin Stone said the headquarters would provide the infrastructure needed to support long-term growth ambitions, describing the move as a foundation for scaling both technology and talent. He added that remaining within the Melbourn Science Park ecosystem was particularly meaningful given the company’s origins as a spin-out from TTP plc.
For Bruntwood SciTech, the deal reflects a broader strategy of cultivating high-growth science and technology businesses in locations with strong access to research institutions and skilled talent pools. The developer highlighted the park’s role in attracting companies that are not only innovating in emerging sectors but also generating employment opportunities as they scale.
Mark Leech, mergers and acquisitions director at Bruntwood SciTech, said the agreement underscores the park’s ability to support fast-growing firms through their next phase of development. He pointed to the combination of specialist facilities, collaborative environments and access to talent as key factors enabling companies to expand their teams.
The expansion comes amid sustained demand for talent in the UK life sciences sector, with Cambridge continuing to draw investment and drive job creation. Cellular Origins’ planned workforce growth is the latest example of how infrastructure investment and industry backing are translating into tangible employment gains in one of Europe’s leading innovation clusters.
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Image credit: University of Cambridge
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