ABC.L Regulatory News (ABC)

 24 October 2016

ABCAM PLC

Abcam commits to the lease of a new facility on the Cambridge Biomedical Campus

· The new 100,000 sq ft. purpose-built facility doubles Cambridge footprint

· Next step in Abcam's plan to deliver sustainable long-term growth

Cambridge, UK: Abcam plc (AIM: ABC), a global leader in the supply of life science research tools announces that it has committed to the lease of a new facility for its global headquarters at the expanding Biomedical Campus in Cambridge, UK, subject to the grant of full planning approval. This purpose-built facility will place Abcam at the heart of an international centre for life science and clinical innovation, increasing collaboration opportunities with scientific opinion leaders and strengthening links with pharmaceutical discovery groups, leading institutions and clinicians.

The new site will allow Abcam to combine its three current facilities in Cambridge into one new state-of-the-art global headquarters and will house the Group's UK innovation and manufacturing capabilities, laboratories, logistics, sales, marketing and corporate functions and will be the Company's European distribution hub.

Providing approximately 100,000 sq ft. of office and laboratory space, compared with 57,000 sq ft. currently, the facility will enable Abcam to better serve its consumers' needs through:

· allowing better interaction between scientists and those responsible for marketing and selling the Company's products contributing to Abcam retaining its market leading position;

· further establishing Abcam as one of the most innovative and influential providers of reagents and tools for the research and clinical communities;

· enhancing its product development capabilities to allow Abcam to better serve the needs of the global research community;

· increasing capacity and allowing more flexibility in the Company's distribution model.

The facility is also expected to improve efficiency across all business functions.

Commenting on the new site, Alan Hirzel, Abcam's Chief Executive Officer, said:

"The Cambridge Biomedical Campus is rapidly becoming an influential hub for global life science. We are looking forward to building upon our longstanding relationships with the scientific community and establishing new relationships with other organisations on the site. Bringing the Abcam team together will improve our efficiency and innovation process to the benefit of all of our stakeholders."

A resolution to grant planning approval was passed unanimously in early August with the construction project planned to begin once full approval is received. Design work has commenced and final estimates and specifications for the project remain subject to the completion of planning processes.

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About Abcam plc

As an innovator in reagents and tools, Abcam's purpose is to serve life science researchers globally to achieve their mission, faster. Providing the research and clinical communities with tools and scientific support, the Company offers highly validated biological binders and assays to address important targets in critical biological pathways.

Already a pioneer in data sharing and ecommerce in the life sciences, Abcam's ambition is to be the most influential company in life sciences by helping advance global understanding of biology and causes of disease, which, in turn, will drive new treatments and improved health. Two-thirds of the world's 750,000 life science researchers use Abcam's affinity binders, reagents, biomarkers and assays and the Company's products are mentioned in over 20,000 of the 56,000 peer-reviewed papers published each year in the life sciences.

By actively listening to and collaborating with researchers, the Company continuously advances its portfolio to address their needs. A transparent programme of customer reviews and datasheets, combined with an industry-leading validation initiative, gives researchers increased confidence in their results.

Abcam's twelve locations are in the world's leading life science research hubs, enabling local services and multi-language support. Founded in 1998 and headquartered in Cambridge, UK, the Company sells to more than 100 countries. Abcam was admitted to AIM in 2005 (AIM: ABC).

To find out more, please visit www.abcam.com and www.abcamplc.com

Forward looking statement

This announcement, including any information included or incorporated by reference in this announcement, may contain forward-looking statements (including words such as "believe", "expect", "estimate", "intend", "anticipate" and words of similar meaning) which are based upon current expectations and assumptions regarding anticipated developments and other factors affecting the Abcam Group. All statements other than statements of historical facts may be forward-looking statements and should not be treated as guarantees of future performance. These forward-looking statements involve risks and uncertainties, many of which are beyond the control of the Abcam Group, and there are important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those expressed or implied by these forward-looking statements. These forward-looking statements speak only as at the date of this announcement and accordingly undue reliance should not be placed on such statements. The Abcam Group does not assume any obligation to, and does not intend to, revise or update these forward-looking statements, except as required pursuant to applicable law.