YORK’S burgeoning reputation in the global science industry has been further bolstered with the expansion of two businesses into the National Agri-Food Innovation Campus on the outskirts of the city.

Symbiosis IP and FPCR, are taking up tenancy at the site in Sand Hutton, near York, where they both plan to use their new offices as northern headquarters.

Operating in the life science industry, Symbiosis is a firm of patent attorneys, which has offices in Evesham and Cardiff, and specialises in protecting intellectual property and guiding bioscience organisations through the patenting process.

Derby-based FPCR, a leading environmental and integrated design company, will be working with planning authorities and statutory bodies in the region. The company says its expansion into the North reflects its growing client base.

They are the latest tenants to move into the National Agri-Food Innovation Campus (NAFIC), which provides a unique scientific environment, and is already home to a community of established organisations and new businesses across government, academia and industry.

The two businesses join a growing list of life science tenants, including Fera, Covance and Abingdon Health.

Liz Cashon, innovation campus manager of NAFIC, said: “Our two new tenants add something new to NAFIC, further strengthening the amazing companies and work that is taking place in applied innovation and science here on the campus, and in the region.

“We are seeing an extraordinary level of innovation in our office and lab space.”

Rob Docherty, director at Symbiosis, said: “The atmosphere and university-feel on the campus really appealed to us, there’s nothing like this anywhere else in Yorkshire. The region has a growing reputation for applied innovation across the bioeconomy sector so this is the perfect location for us to grow and help the life sciences flourish in Yorkshire.”

James Eales, associate ecologist at FPCR, added: “This is a positive move for both our clients and us as a business. We will be able to offer an even better service from more local teams. As a business we’re looking forward to having many potential opportunities to collaborate with others on the campus.”