SmartLabs and IWG Form 10-Year Partnership to Expand Global Lab Infrastructure Access
Key Insights
SmartLabs (search) and International Workplace Group (search) announced a 10-year global partnership to integrate fully managed laboratory solutions across IWG (search)'s flexible workspace portfolio in over 120 countries.
The collaboration will deliver comprehensive lab-as-a-service capabilities including site selection, design, construction management, and ongoing scientific support to underserved life sciences markets worldwide.
The partnership addresses rising global demand for R&D space while helping biotech and pharmaceutical companies reduce time to operational readiness and focus resources on scientific innovation.
SmartLabs (search), a leading provider of flexible laboratory infrastructure solutions, and International Workplace Group (search) (IWG (search)), the world's largest flexible workspace platform, announced a groundbreaking 10-year global partnership to deliver fully managed lab environments across emerging and established life sciences hubs worldwide. The collaboration was unveiled during the 2025 BIO International Convention in Boston.
Comprehensive Lab-as-a-Service Model
The partnership integrates SmartLabs (search)' turnkey laboratory solutions into IWG (search)'s global portfolio of flexible workspace brands, including Regus (search), Spaces (search), Signature (search), and HQ (search). This first-of-its-kind collaboration will make it significantly easier for life sciences innovators, institutions, and investors to establish R&D capabilities in new and underserved markets around the world.
Through the agreement, SmartLabs (search) will deliver its comprehensive lab-as-a-service model across multiple geographies. The service encompasses site selection, lab design, construction management, daily operations, and ongoing scientific support to end users. These capabilities are tailored to the needs of each local scientific ecosystem and aligned with the strategic priorities of both SmartLabs' and IWG (search)'s partners.
"Many regions around the world are rich in scientific talent and ambition but lack the advanced lab infrastructure and support services needed to move research forward," said Brian Taylor, CEO of SmartLabs (search). "By combining our scientific and operational expertise with IWG (search)'s international reach, we can now deliver fully managed, high-performance R&D environments directly to underserved markets across Europe, Asia, and beyond."
Strategic Expansion and Market Access
For SmartLabs (search), the agreement accelerates global expansion, delivering the company's innovative lab solutions more quickly to scientists and research teams where they are needed most. The partnership enables the company to leverage IWG (search)'s extensive network of more than 4,000 locations across more than 120 countries.
For IWG (search), the collaboration marks an entry into lab-enabled real estate, offering new opportunities for landlords, developers, and capital partners to access the high-growth life sciences and technology sectors with proven, low-risk, turnkey solutions.
"We have seen how IWG (search)'s portfolio of flexible workspace brands unlocks significant value for landlords, developers, and local ecosystems across the globe," said Mark Dixon, Founder and CEO of IWG. "Through our partnership with SmartLabs (search), we are bringing that same model to the world of science and innovation. This new offering gives our partners a powerful opportunity to meet the growing demand for specialized lab environments without the complexity of building or operating them on their own."
Addressing Market Demand
The announcement comes amid rising global demand for R&D space and increasing pressure on life sciences and technology companies to move quickly while managing capital more efficiently. SmartLabs (search)' fully managed platform helps companies reduce time to operational readiness, streamline day-to-day operations, and stay focused on driving scientific innovation forward.
The partnership will empower life sciences and emerging technology companies to access world-class, flexible R&D environments and scale their research seamlessly across the entire innovation lifecycle. Whether serving early-stage biotechs, global pharmaceutical companies, or other life sciences and technology organizations, the collaboration aims to help them focus their time and resources on advancing scientific breakthroughs.
SmartLabs (search) was founded in 2015 with the mission to provide adaptable resourcing infrastructure to accelerate scientific breakthroughs. The company offers an integrated platform combining flexible lab infrastructure, operations, digital solutions, and scientific expertise. Its Managed Research Centers allow clients to access private, enterprise-grade R&D infrastructure and manufacturing solutions as-a-service without upfront capital investments.
IWG (search)'s network serves 83% of Fortune 500 companies among its growing customer base, providing hybrid work solutions through professional, inspiring, and collaborative workspaces and digital services available via the International Workplace Group (search)'s app.