The Benefits of Pharma, Biotech & Laboratory Auctions
Looking for a smart, cost-effective way to source high-quality equipment for research, development, testing or manufacturing in scientific and medical sectors? Pharma, biotech and laboratory equipment auctions offer the perfect solution. Whether you're scaling up operations, replacing outdated systems or just starting out, a pharmaceutical equipment auction is an ideal place to find exactly what you need - often at a fraction of the retail price.
These specialised equipment auctions regularly feature a wide range of assets, from lab-grade centrifuges and cleanroom systems to spectrophotometers, chromatography units, incubators and high-spec used lab equipment. Buyers can find everything from benchtop instruments to full-scale production machinery in biopharma auctions and biotech auctions, making them ideal for organisations of all sizes seeking affordable lab equipment.
Purchasing through a laboratory equipment auction provides access to surplus stock, decommissioned units or assets from site closures and facility upgrades. Many of these are advertised as lab liquidation auctions or lab surplus auctions, offering premium scientific tools from reputable brands. Whether you’re looking for individual instruments or bulk lots, these sales are an efficient, budget-friendly way to access critical equipment.
Because these scientific equipment auctions are highly specialised, searching for a “lab equipment auction near me” may not always produce local results. However, most auction platforms now support online bidding, and with many events conducted wholly online, it’s easier than ever to browse and bid on specialist lab equipment for sale anywhere in the world.
Finally, equipment auctions offer speed and convenience. Instead of waiting for new equipment from manufacturers, auction buyers can often quickly source and purchase the equipment they need, reducing the risk of project delays.
Sustainability: The Environmental Benefits of Surplus Lab Equipment Auctions
Purchasing surplus lab equipment is an environmentally responsible choice. Instead of allowing valuable instruments to go to waste, surplus auctions allow organisations to reuse and repurpose equipment, reducing the demand for new production and helping to minimise e-waste. For businesses looking to meet sustainability goals, buying from surplus auctions is an easy way to reduce their environmental footprint. To find out more about how auctions support the circular economy, read our article on sustainability.
Pharma, Biopharma and Biotech Explained
Pharma, Biotech and Biopharma are closely related fields, often used interchangeably, but they do have distinct focuses:
Pharma (Pharmaceuticals): This refers to the traditional pharmaceutical industry, which primarily uses chemical synthesis to develop drugs. Most conventional drugs (small molecules) are made through chemical processes and are typically easier to manufacture and regulate. These drugs often target specific pathways in the body and are commonly used in treating a wide range of conditions, from pain relief (like aspirin) to chronic diseases (like hypertension or diabetes).
Biopharma (Biopharmaceuticals): This is a more specialised sector within biotech, focusing specifically on the medical application of biotechnology to develop drugs, therapies and vaccines. Biopharma companies use biological molecules (proteins, nucleic acids, living cells, etc.) to create treatments for diseases. Unlike traditional pharmaceuticals, which often rely on chemical synthesis, biopharma products are derived from living organisms, such as monoclonal antibodies, cell and gene therapies and vaccines.
Biotech (Biotechnology): This refers to the broader use of biological systems, organisms, or derivatives to develop products or technologies across various industries. While healthcare and pharmaceuticals are a major part of biotech, the field also spans other areas such as agriculture (GMOs), environmental solutions (biofuels, biodegradable materials) and industrial applications. Biotech companies may work on anything from gene editing tools (like CRISPR) to biological enzymes used in detergents.
In essence:
Biotech is the overarching industry that uses biological systems and processes to create products and solutions across multiple sectors, including healthcare, agriculture and industry.
Biopharma is a subset of biotech that focuses exclusively on developing biologically-derived medical treatments, such as gene therapies, monoclonal antibodies and vaccines.
Pharma, or traditional pharmaceuticals, operates alongside biopharma but focuses primarily on chemically synthesized drugs that have long been the foundation of modern medicine. These drugs are typically easier to manufacture and regulate and remain essential for treating a wide range of conditions.
So, while all biopharma companies are biotech companies, not all biotech companies focus on medicine, and not all medical drug developers are in biopharma - some remain firmly rooted in pharma. Together, these three sectors form a dynamic ecosystem driving innovation in healthcare and beyond.
Equipment that can be found in Pharma, Biotech and Lab Auctions
Pharma and biotech equipment auctions offer a unique chance to access specialist equipment at competitive prices - ideal for manufacturers, research labs and start-ups looking to expand or upgrade their operations. But what exactly can you expect to find at a laboratory equipment auction?
Here’s a breakdown of the most commonly available equipment categories:
1. Laboratory Equipment for Auction
These auctions often include high-quality lab essentials used across all areas of pharmaceutical and scientific research:
Centrifuges – Used to separate liquids, gases or fluids based on density, essential for sample preparation and analysis.
Incubators – Provide controlled environments for growing cell cultures or microbiological samples.
Autoclaves – High-pressure steam units used to sterilise equipment and media, ensuring a contamination-free environment.
Fume cupboards – Enclosures that safely ventilate hazardous vapours or chemical fumes during experiments.
Laminar flow cabinets – Provide a clean air workspace to protect samples from contamination during sensitive procedures.
Lab refrigerators and freezers – Store temperature-sensitive chemicals, reagents and biological samples at controlled temperatures.
pH meters and balances – Enable precise measurement of acidity and sample weight, crucial for reproducible results in analytical workflows.
2. Analytical Instruments for Sale at Auction
Precision instruments found in auctions are vital for research, development and quality control:
Spectrophotometers – Measure the absorbance or transmission of light through a sample, widely used in chemistry and molecular biology.
HPLCs (High Performance Liquid Chromatography systems) – Separate and quantify components in a mixture, essential in pharmaceutical testing.
Mass spectrometers – Identify compounds by measuring molecular mass, often used in drug discovery and toxicology.
Gas chromatographs – Analyse volatile substances in complex mixtures, frequently used in pharmaceutical and forensic labs.
FTIR and UV-Vis systems – Detect molecular fingerprints and absorbance spectra to identify or quantify chemical substances.
3. Production and Processing Machinery for Auction
Auctions frequently include key assets for pharmaceutical production and packaging:
Tablet presses and capsule fillers – Manufacture uniform tablets and capsules for medication, often sourced from decommissioned manufacturing lines.
Mixing and blending equipment – Combine raw materials to form homogenous formulations, used in drug and supplement production.
Granulators and dryers – Used to form and dry granules in solid dose manufacturing, ensuring consistency and flowability.
Coating machines – Apply film coatings to tablets for controlled release, protection, or branding.
Cleanroom fixtures and HVAC units – Maintain controlled environments to comply with GMP and sterility requirements.
4. Biotech and Bioprocessing Equipment Auctions
Specialist biotech sales often include equipment critical to biological research and development:
Bioreactors and fermenters – Grow microorganisms or cell cultures under tightly regulated conditions for drug development or production.
Cell culture equipment – Includes incubators, biosafety cabinets and CO₂ systems used to support cell-based research.
Incubated shakers – Agitate samples while maintaining optimal temperatures, promoting uniform growth in liquid cultures.
Chromatography skids – Large-scale purification systems used to isolate proteins, antibodies or other biologics during bioprocessing.
Downstream purification systems – Separate and purify bioproducts after cell culture, essential in vaccine and therapeutic production.
5. IT & Data Systems at Lab Auctions
As modern laboratories increasingly rely on digital integration, auctions may also include:
Laboratory Information Management Systems (LIMS) – Software platforms used to manage samples, workflows and data in laboratory settings.
PCs and monitors used in instrument control – Often bundled with analytical instruments, these ensure proper operation and data collection.
Data loggers and validation tools – Monitor and record environmental conditions, ensuring regulatory compliance during storage and transport.
Whether you're looking for a single spectrophotometer or an entire lab fit-out, pharma, biotech and lab auctions provide access to reliable, industry-grade equipment - often from leading brands and with low hours of use.
Trusted Auctioneers in the Pharma, Biotech & Laboratory Space
Several respected auctioneers regularly host scientific equipment auctions and we’re proud to feature listings from:
AllSurplus – A global online marketplace specialising in surplus and used equipment auctions. AllSurplus often features pharmaceutical and lab equipment across a wide range of industries, offering excellent reach and volume for buyers and sellers alike.
EquipNet – Known for their extensive focus on the life sciences and pharmaceutical sectors, EquipNet hosts pharma auctions and biotech auctions with a strong emphasis on quality, traceability and brand-name equipment. Their listings often include lab instruments from major manufacturers.
European Valuations – With in-depth expertise across manufacturing and industrial sectors, European Valuations conducts regular pharmaceutical auctions featuring high-value machinery and laboratory equipment from leading UK and European facilities.
Heritage Global Partners - This auctioneer conducts large-scale lab liquidation auctions, particularly for biotech and pharmaceutical industries. They are recognised for selling high-quality surplus equipment from leading firms.
Hilco Valuation Services – A well-established name in the asset valuation and disposal sector, Hilco hosts lab liquidation auctions and pharmaceutical equipment auctions as part of corporate asset recovery and restructuring programmes.
Middleton Barton Valuation – Providing professional auction and valuation services across multiple sectors, Middleton Barton is known for efficient and transparent sales of lab and scientific equipment, particularly through used lab equipment auctions and surplus asset disposals.
Auction News – Your Trusted Source for Pharma, Biotech & Laboratory Auctions
With over 65 years’ experience in the auction industry, Auction News is a trusted platform for promoting pharma auctions, biotech auctions and laboratory equipment auctions. Our in-depth industry knowledge ensures buyers and sellers are connected with reputable auctioneers, offering excellent deals on surplus, refurbished and liquidated stock and assets from across the life sciences and scientific sectors.
We’re proud of our long-standing reputation for helping businesses, including research facilities and laboratories, acquire high-quality equipment through pharmaceutical auctions and lab surplus auctions. Our regularly updated listings make it easy to find opportunities - whether you're searching for a scientific equipment auction, a lab equipment auction near you, or a large-scale pharmaceutical equipment auction, Auction News keeps you informed and ahead of the game.
Create an account today and register for Pharma, Biotech & Lab Auction alerts to be notified whenever a new auction is uploaded to our site.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who buys from Pharma, Biotech & Laboratory auctions?
Buyers at Pharma, Biotech & Laboratory auctions come from a wide range of sectors, often looking for high-quality equipment at reduced prices. Typical buyers include:
Pharmaceutical Manufacturers - Both large pharma companies and smaller contract manufacturers often purchase surplus production equipment or lab instrumentation to expand or upgrade their facilities cost-effectively.
Biotech Startups and Scale-ups - Emerging biotech firms frequently rely on auctions to acquire affordable lab assets - such as centrifuges, incubators and analytical instruments - especially when funding is tight or time-to-operation is short.
Universities and Research Institutions - Academic and research labs may turn to auctions to stretch budgets when equipping teaching laboratories or research facilities with essential scientific equipment.
Clinical and Diagnostic Labs - Private pathology labs, diagnostic centres and contract research organisations (CROs) often source used equipment like PCR machines, spectrophotometers and biosafety cabinets through laboratory auctions.
Laboratory Equipment Resellers and Exporters - Specialist resellers purchase equipment to refurbish and resell domestically or export to emerging markets, where demand for affordable scientific instruments is high.
Are UK lab equipment auctions open to international buyers?
Yes, many UK-based pharma, biotech and laboratory auctions are held online and welcome international bidders. However, it’s important to check the auctioneer’s terms regarding shipping, export compliance and VAT for overseas purchases.
Can I inspect the equipment before bidding in a UK pharmaceutical auction?
Some auctioneers offer physical or virtual viewings before the auction date. Details are usually provided in the lot description. For high-value items, especially in lab surplus or scientific equipment auctions, it's recommended to arrange an inspection when possible.
Where do the assets in UK biotech and pharma auctions come from?
Equipment typically comes from pharmaceutical companies, biotech firms, contract research organisations (CROs), or laboratories undergoing liquidation, relocation, or asset renewal. These are often well-maintained and sourced from reputable operations.
What are the Key Differences between Pharma and Biopharma Auctions?
Pharma deals with chemically-based drugs, while Biopharma focuses on biologically-based therapies - both essential to modern medicine, but developed through very different means.
Source of Drugs: Pharma relies on chemical synthesis, while Biopharma uses biological processes and materials derived from living organisms.
Type of Drugs: Pharma focuses on small molecule drugs, while Biopharma develops biologics, including proteins, monoclonal antibodies and gene therapies.
Complexity: Biopharma drugs tend to be more complex in structure and production, making them harder to manufacture and more sensitive to environmental conditions compared to traditional pharma drugs.
What should I consider before buying used lab equipment at auction?
Check for equipment condition, calibration status, service history and whether software/licenses are included. Understand the buyer’s premium, collection terms and any decontamination requirements, especially when purchasing used pharmaceutical or laboratory equipment.
