Scope
Description
Medicines Discovery Catapult (MDC) intends to award a contract for the purchase of a Xenium single-cell spatial transcriptomics/proteomics instrument to 10X Genomics. The purchase of the equipment will be at a value of £220,000, with the possibility for four twelve month extension of warranty periods.
Contract 1. Xenium Single-cell Spatial Transcriptomics/Proteomics Instrument for Medicines Discovery Catapult
Supplier
Contract value
- £344,000 excluding VAT
- £412,800 including VAT
Above the relevant threshold
Date signed
18 December 2025
Contract dates
- 18 December 2025 to 17 December 2026
- Possible extension to 17 December 2030
- 5 years
Description of possible extension:
Maintenance
Main procurement category
Goods
CPV classifications
- 38000000 - Laboratory, optical and precision equipments (excl. glasses)
Contract locations
- UK - United Kingdom
Justification for not setting key performance indicators
not applicable
Other information
Conflicts assessment prepared/revised
Yes
Procedure
Procedure type
Direct award
Direct award justification
Single supplier - technical reasons
Single supplier - technical reasons
Medicines Discovery Catapult (MDC) intends to award a contract for the purchase of a Xenium single-cell spatial transcriptomics/proteomics instrument to 10X Genomics, on the basis that no reasonable alternative or substitute exists which meets the specific technical and operational requirements of the organisation.
Independent comparative studies have demonstrated that alternative platforms currently on the market exhibit significantly higher levels of background noise, reducing data quality in single cell spatial analysis. MDC has verified these performance results and determined that the Xenium system is uniquely capable of delivering the sensitivity and precision required for our research and service activities.
Beyond this the Xenium platform also offers operational advantages. It enables the use of panels with a low minimum run size, which aligns closely with the typical experimental scale within MDC. Competing systems require substantially higher minimum slide numbers, making them unsuitable and leading to inefficient use of resources.
In addition, acquiring the Xenium system will strengthen MDC's national role by providing UK drug discovery organisations access to a capability that is not currently available within any UK based CRO. This avoids duplication with existing commercial provider and ensures MDC can offer new and complementary capabilities to the wider life sciences community.
Supplier
10x Genomics Inc
- Public Procurement Organisation Number: PBMJ-4568-WMPX
6230 Stoneridge Mall Road
Pleasanton
CA 94588-3260
United States
Email: tenders@10xgenomics.com
Website: https://www.10xgenomics.com/
Small or medium-sized enterprise (SME): Yes
Voluntary, community or social enterprise (VCSE): No
Supported employment provider: No
Public service mutual: No
Contract 1. Xenium Single-cell Spatial Transcriptomics/Proteomics Instrument for Medicines Discovery Catapult
Contracting authority
MEDICINES DISCOVERY CATAPULT LIMITED
- Companies House: 09928547
- Public Procurement Organisation Number: PJPQ-6911-DQYY
Block 35g, Mereside Alderley Park
Macclesfield
SK10 4ZF
United Kingdom
Region: UKD62 - Cheshire East
Organisation type: Public authority - sub-central government