100 Years of Microbiology Excellence

   

At the core of culture media

At Thermo Fisher Scientific we serve public health, clinical laboratories, food companies, environmental screening and pharmaceutical companies with industry-leading culture media solutions. Our unique microbiology manufacturing heritage, encompassing trusted industry brands Oxoid™ and Remel™, brings 100 years of expertise in microbiology to our entire portfolio, whilst our rigorous quality standards have made us a preferred supplier and trusted source of culture mediums to laboratories all around the world.

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The story so far: A legacy of microbiology leadership

1924

Oxoid™ is born out of LabLemco™, when OXO Ltd formed a Medical Division to sell products to doctors under the trade name OXOID (OXO Industrial Division).

1930s

During the early 1900s, peptones gained increased attention as a nutrient source for microbial growth. By the 1930s, Oxoid was one of the first companies to commercialize peptones for industry use, developing new techniques for their production and purification.

1940s

The 1940s were the catalyst for large-scale manufacturing of culture media. This was due to commercial production of the first antibiotic, penicillin.  WW2 was also a key driver thanks to groups such as the Emergency Pathology Service, established during the war to tackle epidemics, conducting large-scale microbiological studies. We were their main supplier, providing solutions to support their essential work.

1960s

The 1960s were a significant period for antibiotic advancement but also for susceptibility testing, due to newly widespread concerns of resistance. Oxoid was instrumental in providing culture media, antibiotic discs, and other AST-related products during this time.

1974

Basingstoke site established in 1974 as a purpose-built manufacturing facility, Oxoid relocates from London.

1990s

The discovery of several microorganisms, including Legionella pneumophilia and Helicobacter pylori encouraged the development of specialist medias. This included chromogenic agars for easier differentiation of organisms, developed by Dr Norman Sharpes and colleagues during the 80s. Our introduction of CCA in 1992 was one of the earliest, commercially available chromogenic agars.

2004

Oxoid™ acquired by Thermo Fisher Scientific (then Thermo Electron) alongside Kansas- based Remel™.

2020

50,000 sq.ft Microbiology Logistics Facility opened in Q1 at the Basingstoke site.

2023

New state-of-the-art peptone manufacturing facility opens with scope to increase manufacturing capacity by 40%.

Latest news

The updated plant was officially opened on November 14th 2023 during a ribbon-cutting event, led by Colin Drummond, Senior Director Operations and Basingstoke Site leader; Andy Stickland, Vice President Operations; Claire Wallace, President RSD Division; and Gianluca Pettiti, Executive Vice President.

 

With attendance from press, government and employees, the opening ceremony marked the beginning of the latest chapter in our extensive history of culture media and peptone production.

 

 

Executive Vice President Gianluca Pettiti delivers a speech during the opening ceremony
A snapshot inside our new state-of-the-art peptone manufacturing plant
A glimpse at our filter press room
A snapshot inside our new state-of-the-art peptone manufacturing plant
A snapshot inside our new state-of-the-art peptone manufacturing plant
The facility is officially opened with a commemorative ribbon cutting

The future of peptone manufacturing 

Welcome to the future of peptone manufacturing: a $50M state-of-the-art facility for today and tomorrow

Since 1924, we have been manufacturing quality peptones, both as a standalone and as raw materials, for use within our dehydrated and prepared culture media products at our Basingstoke site in the UK. Recent investment in our facilities enables us to continue producing culture media with industry-leading quality, consistency and control.

 

Today, our Basingstoke site is a global manufacturing hub for microbiology. From 25 base Peptone formulations, the facility supplies quality culture media products that span clinical diagnostics, food safety and authenticity, and pharmaceutical manufacturing, both within Thermo Fisher Scientific and to a global network of customers.

 

The launch of the new start-of-the-art manufacturing facility demonstrates a continual commitment to serving microbiology both today and tomorrow.

 

With complete vertical integration from raw-material to end-product and a significantly increased production capacity, the investment further strengthens Thermo Fisher Scientific’s position as a leader in the life sciences sector and enables us to meet the ever-increasing demand for our high-quality microbiology products. Watch the video:

   

Industry leading factory for culture media products​

A GMP compliant facility producing top quality materials​. 

Highly automated process control​

Traceability and more consistent manufacturing​ as standard.

Increased capacity and capability​

Increased production and larger batch size capabilities both now and in the future. 

Underpinning quality as the foundation

​The peptones manufactured here are integrated into Thermo Scientific Dehydrated Culture Media (DCM) and Pre-prepared Media (PPM).