BBI... A CBTC Success Story

From its early beginnings at CBTC, British Biocell International (BBI) has specialised in developing rapid diagnostics tests which avoid the need to send samples to laboratories for lengthy processing.

The Welsh biotech company have managed to grow organically at a rate of 27% and acquisitively by 26%. In 2006 the company boasted pre-tax profits of £890,000 and a turnover of £6.35m.

The acquisition of Blaenavon Theratese for 24m in March 2007 was a vital step in BBI’s expansion plans, leading the company to look at a range of potential expansion strategies. MD Julian Baines says that ‘BBI takeovers are likely to continue as the company goes from strength’.

BBI have also made a number of other acquisitions and investments including the Alchemy Laboratories; SensoCard Plus, a talking blood glucose monitor; Qnostics Ltd and Point of Care diagnostic products from Agenix Limited.

Mr Bains commented that "the next year is extremely important for BBI. We had to integrate Theratese and grow the business. We want to make BBI become one of the biggest companies in the biotech sector in the UK. With a turnover of over £25m and significant profitability, British Biocell International continues to grow from strength to strength".