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About

Q1 Scientific –

a Cambrex company

Expert Stability Storage at Q1 Scientific

Q1 Scientific History

Q1 Scientific offers an outsourcing solution for environmentally controlled stability storage. This service is transforming how pharmaceutical and medical device companies store their products, reducing the time it takes for new drugs to reach the market, and eliminating the need for costly in-house storage chambers. By partnering with Q1 Scientific, you can focus on innovation while we ensure your products are stored under optimal conditions.

Over the past decade, Q1 Scientific has grown significantly, earning multiple awards and certifications, including GMP and ISO 9001. In 2022, the company was acquired by Cambrex, a global leader in contract development and manufacturing. Since then, Q1 Scientific has continued its growth by opening a new facility in Belgium (2023), and in Durham, North Carolina (2024).

From our state-of-the-art facilities across Belgium, Ireland, and the US, our expert team provides stability storage solutions for many of the world’s top 20 pharmaceutical companies, ensuring your samples are in safe hands.

Continual Development

By fostering creativity, persistence, and discipline, we ensure that both our team and our services stay at the forefront of stability storage technology and practices.

History

2012

Q1 Scientific Established

Q1 Scientific is established in Waterford by serial entrepreneur Louise Grubb with a 5,000sqft facility. Q1 Scientific was the first company in Ireland to specialise in the provision of a stability storage and sample management service

2013

Official Opening

Official Opening by Minister John Perry with the creation of 10 new jobs for the South East. Pictured with Minister John Perry is Tom Brennan, Patsy Carney and Q1 Scientific founder Louise Grubb.

2013

GMP Certification

Successful GMP Certification following a HPRA audit

2013
Q1 Scientific

Our first award

‘Best New Start Company’ at the Munster region final of the InterTrade All Ireland Seedcorn Investor Readiness Competition

2014
Q1 Scientific

Ulster Bank Achievers Award

Ulster Bank Achievers Award

2014
Q1 Scientific

Operational Excellence

Operational Excellence Finalist in the Start-up Company of the Year at the Pharma Industry Awards

2014
Q1 Scientific

David Manley Award

Business finalists in the David Manley Awards

2015
Q1 Scientific

GMP Certification renews

Successful GMP Certification following a HPRA audit

2015

Pharma Start-up Company of the Year

Winner of Pharma Start-up Company of the Year at the Pharma Industry awards

2016

EY Entrepreneur of the Year

Founder Louise Grubb is shortlisted for EY ‘Entrepreneur of the Year’

2017
Q1 Scientific

Expansion

The first unit was filled, and an adjoining unit was taken over increasing the operations size by another 5,000sqft

2017
Q1 Scientific

Sample tracking system goes live

Our bespoke Electronic Sample Tracking System (ESTS) goes live

2018

Successful HPRA audit

Successful HPRA audit for the storage of controlled drugs and active substances (in 2018 the HPRA officially announced they would not be continuing to audit storage facilities).

2018
Q1 Scientific

Pharma Industry Awards

Finalist for ‘Pharma Supplier of the Year’ and ‘Pharma Contract Service Company of the Year’ at the Pharma Industry Awards.

2019
Q1 Scientific

Expansion

Another unit acquired, taking the total footprint to 15,000sqft.

2019

Finalist at Pharma Industry Awards

Finalist for ‘Pharma Company of the Year – SME’, ‘Pharma Contract Services Company of the Year’ and ‘Pharma Supplier of the Year’ at the Pharma Industry Awards

2020

Winner at Pharma Industry Awards

Winner of ‘Contract Services Company of the Year’ and shortlisted for ‘Pharma Company of the Year SME’ at the Pharma Industry Awards

2020

Waterford Chamber Business Awards

Shortlisted for ‘Business of the Year’ at the Waterford Chamber Business Awards

2020
Q1 Scientific

Expansion

Completed the company’s third and fourth expansions taking the facility to 20,000 square feet of pharmaceutical storage with over 7000 storage spaces

2020
Q1 Scientific

The Science of Business podcast

The ‘Science of Business’ podcast series launched. This podcast series shares the insights, career journeys, the start-up phase and behind the scenes stories from one of Ireland’s most successful business sectors

2020
Q1 Scientific

Q1 Scientific webinar series

Launched the Q1 Scientific webinar series designed for those working in the pharmaceutical and medical device sectors with responsibility for designing and managing stability studies

2021
Q1 Scientific

Pharma Industry Awards

Shortlisted for ‘Contract Services Company of the Year’ at the Pharma Industry Awards

2022
Q1 Scientific

Winner of Waterford Business Award

Q1 Scientific wins ‘Business of the Year’ and founder Louise Grubb is awarded ‘Entrepreneur of the Year’ at the Waterford Chamber Business Awards

2022

ISO 9001 certification

Q1 Scientific gains ISO 9001 certification

2022
Q1 Scientific

Acquired by Cambrex

Cambrex, a leading global contract development and manufacturing organisation providing drug substance, drug product, and analytical services across the entire drug life cycle, announced the acquisition of Q1 Scientific on 1st June 2022.

2023
Q1 Scientific

Q1 Scientific opens a new facility in Belgium

Q1 Scientific opened a new 20,000 sq ft cGMP facility in Belgium, expanding its capacity for environmentally-controlled stability storage services to the pharmaceutical, medical device and life sciences industries across Europe.

2024
Q1 Scientific

Q1 Scientific opens new facility in Durham, North Carolina

Q1 Scientific opened a new cGMP facility in Durham, North Carolina, expanding our capacity for environmentally controlled stability storage services to the pharmaceutical, medical device and life sciences industries in North America.

Meet our leadership team

Stephen Delaney

Managing Director

Belgium, Ireland and the US
Stephen Delaney, who took the helm as CEO of Q1 Scientific in 2018 and advanced to Managing Director in 2022, has been a driving force behind Q1 Scientific’s remarkable success...
Cecile Jacoby

Cécile Jacoby

General Manager

Belgium
Cécile Jacoby joined Q1 Scientific as General Manager in 2023 to manage our 20,000 square feet facility in Belgium. With more than 25 years of experience in senior strategic and..
Amy Trinchard

Amy Trinchard

Director US Operations

Durham, North Carolina
Amy Trinchard brings over 23 years of experience in the biotech industry to her role as Director of US Operations at Q1 Scientific in Durham. With a strong background in..
Locations

Q1 Scientific – Global Capacity

Q1 Scientific operates in 3 strategic locations worldwide and is part of Cambrex, which boasts a presence in 14 locations globally. Discover more about Q1 Scientific’s locations by exploring our interactive map.

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Stability Storage Q1 Scientific

Careers in stability storage

Whether you’re a seasoned professional or just starting out, Q1 Scientific offers a supportive environment where you can grow and make a significant impact. Our culture is built on innovation, collaboration, and excellence, valuing every team member’s ideas.

With a focus on professional growth and continuous learning, plus a competitive salary, excellent benefits, and work-life balance, Q1 Scientific is the ideal place to advance your career.

Explore career opportunities Q1 Scientific.

 

See our careers

Contact Us

With over a decade of expertise, Q1 Scientific safeguards critical breakthroughs and life-changing innovations at state-of-the-art stability storage facilities across Belgium, Ireland, and the US.

Have questions about our stability storage services? Need support? Or simply want to visit our facilities and see firsthand how we are advancing stability storage solutions? Our dedicated team is here to help.

Contact us today to discover how we can optimize your stability storage.