SmartLabs and IWG Announce Landmark 10-Year Global Lab Partnership

SmartLabs and IWG Team Up for a Decade of Innovation

In a notable collaboration, SmartLabs and IWG have announced a significant ten-year partnership aimed at transforming the landscape of research and development by offering a fully managed laboratory infrastructure worldwide. This partnership promises to meet the increasing demand for managed laboratory environments, especially in emerging and established bioscience hubs.

The Vision Behind the Collaboration

The announcement was made during the BIO International Convention 2025 in Boston. SmartLabs, recognized as a leader in flexible laboratory infrastructures, joins forces with IWG, which boasts the largest portfolio of flexible workspaces globally, featuring brands like Regus, Spaces, HQ, and Signature. This alliance is designed to integrate SmartLabs’ comprehensive laboratory solutions into IWG’s extensive network, significantly facilitating access for innovators, academic institutions, and investors looking to establish R&D facilities in new markets.

What Will This Partnership Deliver?

SmartLabs will introduce its laboratory-as-a-service model across various regions, which includes services from site selection and lab design to daily operations and ongoing scientific support. These offerings will be specifically tailored to respond to the unique needs of local scientific ecosystems, streamlining the setup for life sciences technologies and corporations.

Brian Taylor, the CEO of SmartLabs, emphasized the global richness of scientific talent and ambition but acknowledged the gaps in advanced laboratory infrastructure in several regions. “By merging our operational and scientific expertise with IWG's international reach, we can deliver robust laboratory environments directly to underserved markets in Europe, Asia, and beyond,” he commented. The aim is to help biotechnology startups, global pharmaceutical companies, and other stakeholders focus on scientific advancements without getting bogged down by infrastructural challenges.

Strategic Growth for SmartLabs and IWG

This agreement not only accelerates SmartLabs' global expansion but also introduces IWG into the realm of laboratory-based real estate. It creates exciting opportunities for landlords, developers, and financial partners to engage with the growing life sciences and technology sectors through reliable, turnkey solutions.

Mark Dixon, IWG’s founder and CEO, pointed out that their portfolio has been instrumental in adding significant value to landlords and developers globally. “With our partnership with SmartLabs, we aim to create a similar impact in the field of science and innovation, allowing our partners to cater to the increasing demand for specialized lab environments without the burden of establishing or managing them,” Dixon remarked.

Meeting Growing Demands

The context of this collaboration is set against a backdrop of heightened demand for research and development spaces, exacerbated by pressures on life sciences companies to act swiftly while managing capital efficiently. SmartLabs’ comprehensive platform is poised to shorten readiness times, optimize daily operations, and foster scientific innovations more effectively.

About SmartLabs

Founded in 2015, SmartLabs emerged from the belief that modern science necessitates a flexible resource infrastructure to ensure the future viability of the industry and accelerate scientific breakthroughs for everyone. The company provides an integrated platform that unites flexible laboratory infrastructure, operational processes, digital solutions, and scientific expertise. Their Managed Research Centers grant clients access to private, enterprise-grade lab infrastructures without upfront investments, offering complete end-to-end solutions for technology and life sciences businesses.

About IWG

The International Workplace Group is a global leader in hybrid work solutions. They create impactful, financial, and strategic value for businesses of all sizes, enabling productivity and efficiency through their extensive network of over 4,000 locations in more than 120 countries. Notably, 83% of Fortune 500 companies leverage IWG’s hybrid work platform, which includes a variety of inspiring and collaborative workspaces.

For more information, visit SmartLabs and IWG.