Animal-free cosmetics testing company celebrates 10 years
XCellR8 provides entirely animal-free safety and efficacy tests to the cosmetics, personal care and chemical industries and is the only laboratory internationally to have achieved regulatory recognition for animal-free adaptations of regulatory tests that have not only eliminated the use of animals, but animal-derived components too.
The company has turned 10 this year, and has enjoyed growth news including a new office move, new staff and funding to coincide with the anniversary.
Dr Carol Treasure, XCellR8 co-founder, says: “From an early stage we agreed that animal testing poses not only ethical issues but fundamental scientific ones.
“The world-leading science we have developed within the business matched with our ethics and beliefs has meant that we have been able to grow a company based on our core values but firmly rooted in innovation and advancements in science.”
XCellR8 says it is the only lab globally to make its tests entirely animal-product free in a regulatory environment; the company does not use serum, tissues or antibodies extracted from animals.
The company has just completed its 1000th piece of testing for cosmetics giant Lush.
Strong growth across revenue, facilities and workforce
The tenth year sees XCellR8 deliver a 37% year on year revenue growth following 40% growth in 2017.
Alongside this, its planned move to a new state-of-the-art laboratory on the National Science and Innovation Campus - Sci-Tech Daresbury - will triple the company’s lab capacity expanding the research and development facilities whilst also growing the capacity for work with clients throughout the UK and internationally, according to XCellR8.
Growth for the company will be further accelerated with a £150k injection of funding from FW Capital, which has helped finance the move and will bring in new world class lab equipment and additional work stations, the company confirms.
Three new members of staff have have joined the growing company: a Quality Assurance Officer, a Study Scientist and a Laboratory Technician. The company is still led by its founders, Dr Carol Treasure and Bushra Sim (pictured).
