---
title: "Xenium Single-cell Spatial Transcriptomics/Proteomics Instrument for Medicines Discovery Catapult"
ocid: "ocds-h6vhtk-05f0dd"
canonical_url: "https://d3tenders.com/contract/?ocid=ocds-h6vhtk-05f0dd"
markdown_url: "https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-h6vhtk-05f0dd.md"
json_url: "https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-h6vhtk-05f0dd.json"
source: "Find A Tender Service"
current_stage: "Award"
buyer: "MEDICINES DISCOVERY CATAPULT LIMITED"
published: "2026-01-05"
---

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

Buyer: MEDICINES DISCOVERY CATAPULT LIMITED  
Current stage: Award  
OCID: ocds-h6vhtk-05f0dd

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## Summary

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.

## Notice

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.

## Key Details

| Field | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Publication source | Find A Tender Service |
| Latest notice | https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/000331-2026 |
| 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 |
| All stages | Award |

## Dates

| Field | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Publication date | 5 Jan 2026 |
| Submission deadline | Not specified |
| Future notice date | Not specified |
| Award date | 8 Dec 2025 |
| Contract period | 18 Dec 2025 - 17 Dec 2026 |
| Recurrence | Not specified |

## Values

| Field | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Tender value | Not specified |
| Lots value | Not specified |
| Awards value | £344,000 |
| Contracts value | £344,000 |

## Status

| Field | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Tender status | Complete |
| Lots status | Complete |
| Awards status | Active |
| Contracts status | Active |

## Buyer

| Field | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Main buyer | MEDICINES DISCOVERY CATAPULT LIMITED |
| Locality | MACCLESFIELD |
| Post town | Stockport |
| Postcode | SK10 4ZF |
| Country | England |
| ITL 1 | TLD North West (England) |
| ITL 2 | TLD6 Cheshire |
| ITL 3 | TLD62 Cheshire East |
| Local authority | Cheshire East |
| Electoral ward | Chelford |
| Westminster constituency | Tatton |
| Delivery location | Not specified |

## Supplier

| Field | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Number of suppliers | 1 |
| Supplier names | 10X GENOMICS |

## CPV Codes

### Divisions

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

### Codes

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

## Release History

- 5 Jan 2026 at 14:03 - Award - UK7 - Contract Details Notice - https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/000331-2026
- 8 Dec 2025 at 14:43 - Award - UK6 - Contract Award Notice - https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/080664-2025
- 8 Dec 2025 at 14:22 - Award - UK5 - Transparency Notice - https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/080646-2025

## Documents

- https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/000331-2026
  5th January 2026 - Contract details notice on Find a Tender
- https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/080664-2025
  8th December 2025 - Contract award notice on Find a Tender
- https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/080646-2025
  8th December 2025 - Transparency notice on Find a Tender

## Notice URLs

- https://www.10xgenomics.com/
- https://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/2023/54/contents

## Provenance

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