23/09/2025
When Brian Carpenter and his co-founders (Nick Gee, Mick Knowles and Nick Hutchings) launched Aboligo in 2024, their choice of location was clear: Babraham Research Campus. For Brian, the decision was driven by both loyalty and practicality.
“We all started on this campus,” Brian explains. “Nick Gee and Mick Knowles [our co-founders] founded Innova Biosciences here back in 2002, and I joined them in 2009. After Innova was acquired, we always felt a strong connection to Babraham – to its infrastructure, its grounds, and to the people here. Coming back to start Aboligo just made sense.”
That sense of history has shaped Aboligo’s new chapter. The team are developing antibody-oligonucleotide conjugates – powerful research tools that give scientists the ability to analyse the entire proteome, not just a small fraction of proteins. It’s an ambitious vision, and one that has already attracted investment.
The Role of LiveLabs
When the company was established, the founders needed to get started without the heavy financial burden of fitting out a lab. For Brian and the team, LiveLabs was the ideal solution.
“What was great about LiveLabs was that we were able to just move in, buy some reagents, and start. We didn’t have to worry about kitting out lab space or taking on huge overheads. For an early-stage business, that kind of flexibility is invaluable.”
Within months, Aboligo’s proof of concept was strong enough to secure seed funding. Today, the company is working full-time to accelerate its R&D, with plans to grow and recruit over the coming months.
Building on a Legacy
For Brian, part of the story is about continuity. “There’s about 20 years of history here,” he reflects. “From starting out in Innova, to seeing the Campus evolve from humble beginnings to the world-class facilities we have today – it feels like coming full circle. LiveLabs has been the ideal environment for us to begin again.”
That blend of history, community, and cutting-edge infrastructure is what makes Babraham Research Campus unique for companies like Aboligo. As Brian puts it: “It’s all about nurturing the business. LiveLabs gave us the chance to prove our idea quickly and effectively, and now we’re building on that momentum.”