100 Years of Microbiology Expertise

At the core of culture media

For 100 years, we have been dedicated to serving microbiologists in their pursuit of discovery. From antibiotic resistance monitoring, to safeguarding the integrity of the global food supply chain, our tools have aided microbiology leaders in their essential work since 1924 .

Today, Thermo Scientific™, Oxoid™, Remel™ and other microbiology products are part of the Thermo Fisher Scientific Speciality Diagnostics portfolio. Our products, known for their rigorous quality standards, support the Thermo Fisher Mission: To enable our customers to make the world healthier, cleaner and safer.

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The story so far: Aiding microbiology leaders since 1924

Early 1900s

During the early 1900s, peptones gained increased attention within the field of microbiology, pushed by pioneers such as Dr Jacques Loeb who recognized their value as a nutrient source for microbial growth. By the 1930s, we were one of the first companies to commercialize peptones for industry use, developing new techniques for their production and purification.

1940s

The 1940s were the catalyst for large-scale manufacturing of culture media. This was due to commercial production of the first antibiotic, penicillin.

WW2 was also a key driver thanks to groups such as the Emergency Pathology Service, established during the war to tackle epidemics, conducting large-scale microbiological studies. We were their main supplier, providing solutions to support their essential work.

1960s

The 1960s were a significant period for antibiotic advancement but also for susceptibility testing, due to newly widespread concerns of resistance. The emergence of standardized techniques, such as the Kirby-Bauer disk diffusion method, provided a reproducible approach to testing. During this period, we introduced antibiotic discs to assist clinical and research labs with their critical work.

Late 20th century

By the 1970s, the discovery of several microorganisms, including Legionella pneumophilia and Helicobacter pylori encouraged the development of specialist medias. This included chromogenic agars for easier differentiation of organisms, developed by Dr Norman Sharpes and colleagues during the 80s. Our introduction of Chromogenic Coliform Agar in 1992 was one of the earliest commercially available chromogenic agars.

Today

As we look to the future, we remain committed to supporting the pioneers who have brought us this far. In 2023, we opened a state-of-the-art peptone facility as part of our continual commitment to providing quality, both today and tomorrow. Scroll down to learn more about this.

Early 1900s
1940s
1960s
Late 20th century
Today

Industry leading factory for culture media products

A state-of-the-art facility producing top quality materials.

Highly automated process control

Traceability and more consistent manufacturing as standard.

Increased capacity and capability

Increased production and larger batch size capabilities both now and in the future.

Underpinning quality as the foundation

From peptones to pre-prepared media we have full control of the manufacturing & quality of our culture media products.

The future of microbiology manufacturing

Since 1924, we have been dedicated to producing high-quality culture media, from essential raw materials to pre-prepared culture media products. Recent investments in our facilities ensure that we continue to deliver a variety of products with industry-leading standards of quality, consistency, and control.

Today, we have various manufacturing sites operating as global hubs for microbiological production. From a core set of base peptone formulations to culture media, in addition to a variety of diagnostics kits, assays and reagents, we supply a wide range of premium products for applications in clinical diagnostics, food safety and authenticity and pharmaceutical manufacturing. These products serve a global network of customers, helping to advance science across diverse sectors.

To further strengthen Thermo Fisher Scientific’s position as a leader in the life sciences industry and industrial applications, we have invested into new state-of-the-art manufacturing facilities to meet the growing global demand for high-quality microbiology products.

At Thermo Fisher Scientific Microbiology we are committed to driving innovation and excellence, now and into the future.

Latest news

The updated plant was officially opened on November 14th 2023 during a ribbon-cutting event, led by Colin Drummond, Senior Director Operations and Basingstoke Site leader; Andy Stickland, Vice President Operations; Claire Wallace, President RSD Division; and Gianluca Pettiti, Executive Vice President.

With attendance from press, government and employees, the opening ceremony marked the beginning of the latest chapter in our extensive history of culture media and peptone production.