BURLINGTON, Mass., January 23, 2025 / Azenta, Inc. (Nasdaq: AZTA) today announced that it has been selected as the technology provider by UK Biocentre as they expand their large-scale sample storage in support of the preservation of internationally significant sample collections. This new system is in addition to the seven Azenta BioArc™ Flex™ automated sample store systems already in place at the facility. UK Biocentre will utilize the new BioArc Ultra™ to deliver on critical research projects including the United Kingdom’s largest health research program – Our Future Health.

The BioArc Ultra will be installed into UK Biocentre’s 70,000 square-foot facility in Milton Keynes, England, which specializes in the management and processing of biological samples. Currently capable of storing over 35 million samples, the facility will expand its capacity to conduct large-scale biomedical research by an additional 16 million samples with BioArc Ultra’s high-density, fully automated -80°C storage system with picking capability of up to 9 million picks per year. As part of the overall solution, UK Biocentre utilizes Azenta’s automated systems, as well as FluidX™ 2D-coded, high-quality screw-cap tubes, to elevate inventory management quality, reduce variability, and mitigate risk for this and other vital research projects.

The Ultra delivers significant operational efficiency benefits, including reduced footprint, labor requirements, and electricity costs as compared to other commercially available systems, and benefits UK Biocentre's carbon emission reduction goals through the use of an eco-friendly refrigeration system with zero Ozone Depletion Potential and zero Global Warming Potential, thus advancing sustainability in science. This robust automation system offers the option of up to 10 picking stations, providing the flexibility to increase throughput and/or labware types.

UK Biocentre will utilize the storage capacity of the BioArc Ultra in support of the UK’s Our Future Health study of up to 5 million people in the development of new ways to prevent, detect, and treat diseases.

Dr. Tony Cox OBE, Chief Executive Officer of UK Biocentre, stated, "The BioArc Ultra ensures UK Biocentre remains at the forefront of large-scale sample storage innovation while fulfilling our mission to reduce the environmental impact of vital clinical and life science research. We are proud to partner with Azenta Life Sciences to bring this unique offering to the UK, enabling us to maximize the potential of every sample."

“We are excited to support UK Biocentre with the advanced automation sample storage capabilities of the BioArc Ultra,” said Alex Esmon, Vice President and General Manager of Global Products at Azenta Life Sciences. “The addition of the BioArc Ultra delivers on the promise of enabling breakthroughs faster through substantial improvements in proven automation and refrigeration technology that ensures critical sample integrity while streamlining workflows and ensuring sustainability.”

To learn more about the BioArc Ultra, visit https://www.azenta.com/products/bioarc-ultra-high-density-80-c-automated-sample-storage-system.