Labskin doubles headcount at York Biotech Campus
York Biotech Campus (YBC) has announced it has supported Labskin Limited with doubling its headcount at the leading bioscience hub in the past year alone.
Since returning to YBC in 2024, the skin science company has grown to a team of 10, occupying three laboratories and two offices at the campus. Recent hires include a histology lead, three scientist roles, and a junior scientist.
This growth supports Labskin’s mission to develop advanced skin models that help global skincare, cosmetics, and pharmaceutical companies test products and treatments without using human or animal subjects.
Recent successes include securing an Innovate UK grant to create an in vitro skin model for melanoma, a serious form of skin cancer that develops in pigment-producing cells.
The growing team will enable Labskin to launch more services, including disease-specific skin models that replicate conditions such as atopic dermatitis (eczema) and psoriasis, two common inflammatory skin conditions. The company is also developing pigmented skin models to better represent different ethnicities in testing.
Further plans include exploring academic collaborations with leading universities to create next-generation skin models featuring true immune cells, blood vessels, and a fat layer, bringing them even closer to real human skin and opening new possibilities for drug development and dermatology research.
Labskin now has ambitions to double its headcount again within two years and expand its footprint on campus to support these growth plans.
YBC has been part of Labskin’s journey for many years, including during its previous tenure at the science campus between 2018 and 2023.
On Labskin’s growth, Liz Cashon, estates manager at York Biotech Campus, said: “We are proud to be a long-standing partner of Labskin and to support its mission to transform how skin research is conducted globally. We’re pleased to be able to provide the environment and support that enables companies like Labskin to thrive and contribute to Yorkshire’s reputation as a leading centre for bioscience.”
Dr Nicola Kingswell, Scientific Director at Labskin Limited said: “It’s an incredibly exciting time for Labskin. Doubling our team reflects the scale of innovation we’re driving, from creating melanoma models to developing new solutions for chronic skin conditions. YBC has played an important role enabling this growth, providing the flexibility and support we need.
“Our growth also comes at a time when Life Sciences and Engineering Biology have been identified as priority sectors for York and North Yorkshire’s economic development. With a strong cluster of SMEs and proximity to major research centres across the North, the region is well-placed to lead the next wave of bioscience innovation. Alongside York Biotech Campus, we’re proud to play our part in this.”