Albion Ventures and Solon Ventures have invested $2.4 million in Xceleron, a U.K.-based bioanalytical Accelerator Mass Spectrometry (AMS) service, to locate all of its business to its custom-built facility in Germantown, Md., which is expected to be fully operational by March 31, 2012.

Xceleron is relocating senior analytical staff to Germantown from York, U.K., hiring new staff in Maryland and retaining a strong study design and project management presence in the U.K. The Germantown facility opened in 2008 and has conducted a range of customer studies including absolute bioavailability, metabolism and general pharmacokinetic investigations. Approximately 12,000 samples have been analyzed on site for a growing client base of pharmaceutical and biotech companies.

Xceleron intends to augment its analytical capability in Germantown with the latest in highly sensitive LC-MS/MS technology. This addition will create the first laboratory of its kind in which all forms of microtracer and microdose investigations can be conducted in one custom-built facility.

“The combined ruggedness of AMS and the specificity of the most sensitive LC-MS/MS will enable a highly cost-effective and safe bridge from discovery to the clinic,” said Stuart Best, vice president of analytical operations, Xcelerson.

Xceleron CEO Michael Butler added, “Our customers told us that they want access to the best analytical platforms in translational science. We are providing that access with the most experienced team in the business and in one highly efficient and purpose built location. This is a first-of-a-kind combination from Xceleron that we believe will add to our customers’ drive for phase II readiness.”