Mon, 28 Sep 2026 | DIVISION SALE
Rochdale-based sample storage specialist Astoriom has acquired Roylance Stability Storage Limited and Roylance Scientific Limited, the Glasgow-based UK operations of life sciences storage provider Sampled, in a deal that expands its stability storage and biorepository capacity across the UK.
The transaction covers Sampled's Glasgow facility and its stability storage and specialist services for pharmaceutical customers. Terms of the deal have not been disclosed.
Astoriom said the acquisition strengthens its specialist storage and sample management capabilities, offering broader coverage, additional expertise and operational resilience for the samples, materials and equipment used in scientific research and product development. Customers currently served from the Glasgow site will be supported by continuous monitoring, inventory controls and business continuity systems at Astoriom's flagship UK facility in Rochdale.
The company provides outsourced temperature- and humidity-controlled storage for stability trials, retained samples and the long-term storage of biological samples, services that form part of the drug development process. It has more than 30 years of experience in the sector and operates across the UK, Ireland and the United States.
Astoriom is backed by Limerston Capital, a UK mid-market private equity firm that acquired the stability storage business of Source BioScience in early 2024 and established it as a standalone company. Since then, Astoriom has pursued an international buy-and-build strategy, making a series of acquisitions in the UK and US.
Previous deals include Nottingham-based MTS Cryo Stores and sister laboratory refrigeration specialist Cool Repair Scientific UK, the biorepository operations of North Carolina-based Flagship Biosciences, and US stability storage provider Precision Stability Storage. The company has also launched a cryogenic storage suite and expanded its site in Tramore, Ireland.
Will Edwards, Chief Executive of Astoriom, said: "Astoriom's continued growth reflects the sustained demand for our integrated services. This recent acquisition reinforces our commitment to delivering high-quality sample storage capabilities in the UK and beyond.
"We understand how important continuity, responsiveness and technical expertise is to ensure the security, integrity, traceability and required storage conditions of valuable samples at all times. Our utmost priority throughout this process is to maintain continuity of service, building upon the strong foundation Sampled has put in place, while providing access to the additional expertise, resources and capabilities available through Astoriom."
For Sampled, the sale allows the group to concentrate on its core activities. The New Jersey-headquartered company will retain its focus on biobanking, multiomics and clinical sample management services.
John DelliSanti, Chief Executive and Chair of Sampled, said: "The stability storage and specialised services offered by Roylance Stability Storage have been an important part of our organisation for many years and have helped support pharmaceutical customers across the UK. We are pleased to see the business begin its next chapter with Astoriom, whose expertise and focus make them well positioned to support stability storage customers for years to come.
"This transition also allows Sampled to further focus on its core strengths in biobanking, multiomics, and clinical sample management services from its headquarters in Piscataway, New Jersey, positioning both organisations for continued success."
The acquisition is the latest in a run of deals for Astoriom as it consolidates its position in the specialist storage market. The company has said it intends to continue scaling both organically and through further acquisitions.
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