Partnership Will Provide Startups Access to Advanced Spectroscopy and Life Sciences Instrumentation
Agilent Technologies has been announced as a founding member of Harwell’s new CO:LABS development. The global leader in life sciences, diagnostics and applied chemical markets will establish a dedicated Agilent demonstration laboratory within CO:LABS, providing startups with access to advanced spectroscopy and life sciences instrumentation.
The partnership will provide early-stage companies based at CO:LABS and across the wider Harwell Campus hands-on access to advanced analytical technologies that are often difficult for young businesses to access during the earliest stages of development.
Agilent joins The Rosalind Franklin Institute as a founding member of CO:LABS, which is set to open later in 2026 and will serve as a hub within Harwell Campus’ expanding life sciences and health technology ecosystem. Founding partners will strengthen the scientific infrastructure, expertise and technologies available to companies on campus, helping them generate high-quality data, validate technologies, and accelerate development.
Through its demonstration laboratory at CO:LABS, Agilent will provide access to advanced spectroscopy and life science instrumentation along with technical expertise, application support, and hands-on training. By embedding these capabilities directly within the CO:LABS accelerator space, the partnership creates a uniquely supportive environment where startups can access industry-grade analytical tools while benefiting from Agilent’s scientific expertise.
Agilent’s partnership with CO:LABS builds on its long-standing connection to Harwell, where the company’s Raman Spectroscopy capabilities trace back to Cobalt Light Systems, a technology company spun out of the Central Laser Facility and later acquired by Agilent. Today, Harwell hosts Agilent’s Global Centre for Raman Spectroscopy, underscoring the company’s continued commitment to innovation and collaboration on the campus.
“Harwell Campus has long been an important hub for scientific discovery and innovation,” said Gub Singh, UK Country General Manager, Agilent Technologies. “CO:LABS creates an exciting environment for collaboration across the Harwell ecosystem, and we look forward to working alongside companies on campus to help accelerate new ideas and scientific breakthroughs.”
Jim Stretton, Managing Director of Harwell Campus, added: “Welcoming Agilent as a founding member of CO:LABS is a significant milestone for Harwell Campus. For early-stage companies, access to world-class expertise and advanced analytical technologies can be the difference between promising ideas and proven solutions. Agilent’s presence within CO:LABS strengthens the support available to innovators on campus, helping them generate robust data, validate their science, and accelerate the journey from discovery to real-world impact.”
CO:LABS is Harwell Campus’ landmark new 120,000 SQF laboratory development for life-changing science. It has been intentionally and inclusively designed to support starting and scaling science businesses, with best-in-class amenities including fully-fitted and serviced laboratories, office space, collaboration areas, conference and presentation facilities, and dedicated onsite lab management.
