PHARMAQ Analytiq opens fish health laboratory at Inverness Campus

The move consolidates the company’s specialist teams and diagnostic services into a single, world-class hub, positioning it at the heart of Scotland’s premier aquaculture and life sciences community.

After selling its veterinary and environmental services in 2024, PHARMAQ Analytiq operated across two Inverness sites. The new facility brings its PCR, histology and microbiology labs together in one place, streamlining work and boosting testing capacity.

The new laboratory includes Scotland’s only commercial histopathology facility focused entirely on fish tissue processing. It also has improved digital pathology and advanced robotic qPCR equipment, helping the company expand testing and develop new diagnostics faster.

The move puts PHARMAQ Analytiq within the growing aquaculture hub at Inverness Campus, encouraging closer work with nearby organisations such as the Sustainable Aquaculture Innovation Centre (SAIC), the Rivers and Lochs Institute, and Scotland’s Rural College (SRUC) Rural and Veterinary Innovation Centre (RAVIC).

The official opening  took place on Monday 8 June. Joining for the opening was special guest Dave Cox, aquatic histopathologist who originally established the diagnostic services within the predecessor business, Fish Vet Group, shortly after its founding in 1995. His involvement highlighted a legacy of over 30 years of diagnostic support for Scottish fish farming.

Chris Matthews, aquaculture veterinarian and business unit director for PHARMAQ Analytiq in the UK, said:

"The move to our new facility at An Lòchran marks an exciting new chapter for PHARMAQ Analytiq. By uniting our specialist PCR, histology, and microbiology teams into a single, world-class hub, we have significantly enhanced our operational efficiency and capacity. This investment underscores our long-term commitment to the Scottish aquaculture industry and ensures we are better equipped than ever to deliver the rapid, high-precision diagnostics required to support healthy fish production and industry sustainability for years to come."

April Conroy, life sciences team at HIE, said:

“We’re delighted that PHARMAQ has chosen the Inverness Campus as the base for its high-throughput fish health services. The new laboratory will support not only Scotland’s aquaculture sector but will also receive samples from around the world, strengthening the region’s role in global fish health.

"We are pleased to see them establish a strong presence at Inverness Campus, working alongside academic laboratories focused on human and environmental health."

PHARMAQ is part of Zoetis, a global leader in animal health, providing medicines, vaccines and diagnostic tools. This is a significant investment in the region and further establishes the Inverness Campus as a key centre for life sciences.”