Campus Diaries: Four trends shaping bioscience in 2026
As the bioscience sector accelerates, the conversation is shifting from “Where can we build?” to “How can we adapt?” In 2026, success won’t just depend on cutting-edge research, it will hinge on how we design and manage the environments that enable it.
At York Biotech Campus (YBC), we’ve seen first-hand how quickly the industry evolves. From the pandemic-driven changes of recent years to today’s demand for flexibility and sustainability, the way we think about lab space is transforming.
Estates Manager, Liz Cashon, shares four trends redefining the future of scientific workspaces, and how we’re helping our occupiers stay ahead.
Retrofitting over rebuilding
Building new labs from scratch can be costly and time-consuming. That’s why more operators are turning to retrofitting, the practice of repurposing offices and warehouses into fully functional labs. It’s faster, more sustainable, and often more practical than starting from the ground up. At YBC, we’ve supported several businesses through this process, helping them adapt existing spaces on site to meet their scientific needs without compromising on compliance or efficiency. For example, we recently relocated and completely rebuilt Fera Science Ltd’s state-of-the-art Insect Quarantine Unit in a vacant unit onsite, demonstrating how retrofitting can deliver highly specialised facilities while making the most of existing infrastructure.
Plug-and-Play labs
Speed matters in science, so start-ups and project teams need ready-to-use spaces that allow them to hit the ground running. Flexible, short-term leases and pre-equipped labs are becoming the norm, giving businesses the agility to innovate without delays or lengthy contract negotiations. In 2025 we began to offer exactly this, creating flexible lab space for BioGrad Education to host its five-week immersive scientific training, which allowed students to learn in a real laboratory environment.
Regional Growth Beyond the Golden Triangle
The traditional scientific hubs of London, Oxford, and Cambridge remain important, but rising costs are driving businesses to explore new locations outside of the ‘Golden Triangle’. Regions like Yorkshire are emerging as vibrant biotech clusters, supported by strong investment and collaborative ecosystems, such as the BioYorkshire Cluster. YBC is proud to be part of this movement, offering world-class facilities in a location that combines affordability with connectivity, and champions upcoming, regional talent.
AI as an Operational Game-Changer
Artificial intelligence is transforming research, and in turn, revolutionising how labs are expected to operate. From energy monitoring to predictive maintenance, AI-driven efficiencies are making facilities smarter, greener, and more cost-effective. We’re exploring these innovations to ensure our campus remains at the cutting edge of sustainability and performance.
Looking Ahead
At YBC, we’re not just observing these trends, we’re actioning them. Through flexible lab solutions, collaboration with regional stakeholders, and investment in future-ready infrastructure, whether through retrofitting or new construction, we’re helping businesses thrive in this new era of innovation, from ambitious start-ups to multinational organisations.
Ready to future-proof your lab space?
Explore our flexible lab and office solutions or book a tour today, and discover how YBC can help your business grow.