New lab 'enhances efficiency and capacity' for diagnostics company
PHARMAQ Analytiq teams re-united at Inverness site with state-of-the-art equipment
Fish health and aquaculture diagnostics company PHARMAQ Analytiq has officially opened its new laboratory at An Lòchran, situated on the Inverness Campus.
The move consolidates the company’s specialist teams and diagnostic services into a single hub, positioned at the heart of what PHARMAQ describes as Scotland’s premier aquaculture and life sciences community.
Following the strategic divestment of its veterinary and environmental services to STIM in 2024, PHARMAQ Analytiq had been operating across two separate locations in Inverness. The new facility brings its molecular (qPCR), histology, and microbiology laboratories together under one roof, optimising workflows and significantly increasing testing capacity for the aquaculture sector.
The new laboratory houses Scotland’s only commercial histopathology facility dedicated entirely to fish tissue processing. It features expanded digital pathology capabilities and advanced robotic qPCR equipment, enabling the company to scale up its rapid diagnostic services and accelerate the development of new assays.
Aquaculture hub
The move embeds PHARMAQ Analytiq within the Inverness Campus’s rapidly growing aquaculture hub, fostering closer collaboration with neighbouring institutions such as the Sustainable Aquaculture Innovation Cluster (SAIC), the Rivers and Lochs Institute, and Scotland’s Rural College (SRUC) Rural and Veterinary Innovation Centre (RAVIC).
The official opening took place yesterday. The milestone highlights a legacy of over 30 years of diagnostic support for Scottish fish farming, stretching back to 1995 when aquatic diagnostic services were first set up within the predecessor business, Fish Vet Group.
Enhanced capacity
Chris Matthews, aquaculture veterinarian and business unit director for PHARMAQ Analytiq in the UK, said: “By uniting our specialist PCR, histology, and microbiology teams into a single, world-class hub, we have significantly enhanced our operational efficiency and capacity.
“This investment underscores our long-term commitment to the Scottish aquaculture industry and ensures we are better equipped than ever to deliver the rapid, high-precision diagnostics required to support healthy fish production and industry sustainability for years to come.”
April Conroy, of the life sciences team at Highlands and Islands Enterprise (HIE), said the agency was delighted the company has chosen Inverness Campus as the base for its high-throughput fish health services.
“The new laboratory will not only support Scotland’s aquaculture sector but will receive samples from around the world, strengthening the region’s role in global fish health. This is a significant investment in the region and further establishes Inverness Campus as a key centre for life sciences.”
