Award

Xenium Single-cell Spatial Transcriptomics/Proteomics Instrument for Medicines Discovery Catapult

MEDICINES DISCOVERY CATAPULT LIMITED

This public procurement record has 3 releases in its history.

Award

05 Jan 2026 at 14:03

Award

08 Dec 2025 at 14:43

Award

08 Dec 2025 at 14:22

Summary of the contracting process

The Medicines Discovery Catapult Limited (MDC), a sub-central government public authority based in Macclesfield, UK, has completed a direct award procurement process for the purchase of a Xenium single-cell spatial transcriptomics/proteomics instrument from 10x Genomics Inc, valued at £220,000. This contract covers the period from 18 December 2025 to 17 December 2026, with potential extensions for four additional twelve-month warranty periods. The procurement, classified under laboratory, optical and precision equipment, was conducted using the direct award method, justified by the unique technical and operational capabilities of the Xenium system deemed necessary for MDC’s research activities. This procurement award was published on 5 January 2026.

This contract opens opportunities for businesses specialising in cutting-edge laboratory technology to provide MDC and similar research organisations with innovative solutions that maximise research efficiency and outcomes. Enterprises that are strong contenders for this contract are those that can deliver highly specialised laboratory equipment meeting stringent technical criteria. By securing such specialised equipment, businesses can bolster their market position in the high-impact field of life sciences, particularly within the UK drug discovery sector. The transparency and direct procurement approach demonstrate MDC's commitment to acquiring unparalleled technical efficiency and precision, providing new avenues for other tech-centric firms to showcase their capabilities in similar procurements.

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Notice Title

Xenium Single-cell Spatial Transcriptomics/Proteomics Instrument for Medicines Discovery Catapult

Notice Description

Medicines Discovery Catapult (MDC) intends to award a contract for the purchase of a Xenium single-cell spatial transcriptomics/proteomics instrument to 10X Genomics. The purchase of the equipment will be at a value of PS220,000, with the possibility for four twelve month extension of warranty periods.

Procurement Information

Single supplier - technical reasons Medicines Discovery Catapult (MDC) intends to award a contract for the purchase of a Xenium single-cell spatial transcriptomics/proteomics instrument to 10X Genomics, on the basis that no reasonable alternative or substitute exists which meets the specific technical and operational requirements of the organisation. Independent comparative studies have demonstrated that alternative platforms currently on the market exhibit significantly higher levels of background noise, reducing data quality in single cell spatial analysis. MDC has verified these performance results and determined that the Xenium system is uniquely capable of delivering the sensitivity and precision required for our research and service activities. Beyond this the Xenium platform also offers operational advantages. It enables the use of panels with a low minimum run size, which aligns closely with the typical experimental scale within MDC. Competing systems require substantially higher minimum slide numbers, making them unsuitable and leading to inefficient use of resources. In addition, acquiring the Xenium system will strengthen MDC's national role by providing UK drug discovery organisations access to a capability that is not currently available within any UK based CRO. This avoids duplication with existing commercial provider and ensures MDC can offer new and complementary capabilities to the wider life sciences community.

Publication & Lifecycle

Open Contracting ID
ocds-h6vhtk-05f0dd
Publication Source
Find A Tender Service
Latest Notice
https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/000331-2026
Current Stage
Award
All Stages
Award

Procurement Classification

Notice Type
UK7 - Contract Details Notice
Procurement Type
Standard
Procurement Category
Goods
Procurement Method
Direct
Procurement Method Details
Direct award
Tender Suitability
Not specified
Awardee Scale
SME

Common Procurement Vocabulary (CPV)

CPV Divisions

38 - Laboratory, optical and precision equipments (excl. glasses)


CPV Codes

38000000 - Laboratory, optical and precision equipments (excl. glasses)

Notice Value(s)

Tender Value
Not specified
Lots Value
Not specified
Awards Value
£344,000 £100K-£500K
Contracts Value
£344,000 £100K-£500K

Notice Dates

Publication Date
5 Jan 20261 months ago
Submission Deadline
Not specified
Future Notice Date
Not specified
Award Date
8 Dec 20252 months ago
Contract Period
18 Dec 2025 - 17 Dec 2026 6-12 months
Recurrence
Not specified

Notice Status

Tender Status
Complete
Lots Status
Complete
Awards Status
Active
Contracts Status
Active

Contracting Authority (Buyer)

Main Buyer
MEDICINES DISCOVERY CATAPULT LIMITED
Contact Name
Not specified
Contact Email
procurement@md.catapult.org.uk
Contact Phone
Not specified

Buyer Location

Locality
MACCLESFIELD
Postcode
SK10 4ZF
Post Town
Stockport
Country
England

Major Region (ITL 1)
TLD North West (England)
Basic Region (ITL 2)
TLD6 Cheshire
Small Region (ITL 3)
TLD62 Cheshire East
Delivery Location
Not specified

Local Authority
Cheshire East
Electoral Ward
Chelford
Westminster Constituency
Tatton

Supplier Information

Number of Suppliers
1
Supplier Name

10X GENOMICS

Further Information

Notice Documents

Open Contracting Data Standard (OCDS)

View full OCDS Record for this contracting process

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The Open Contracting Data Standard (OCDS) is a framework designed to increase transparency and access to public procurement data in the public sector. It is widely used by governments and organisations worldwide to report on procurement processes and contracts.

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