National Biomanufacturing Centre paves the way for European Biotech Success 

Construction has commenced on a cutting-edge centre to develop and manufacture new biopharmaceutical medicines for clinical trials in Speke, Liverpool.

Operated by Eden Biodesign, the National Biomanufacturing Centre is a Government-funded initiative lead by the Northwest Regional Development Agency (NWDA) that will help establish England’s Northwest as one of the foremost centres for biomanufacturing in Europe.

The centre will provide the expertise and facilities to support new and existing biotechnology companies, offering product development services designed to fill skill and resource gaps that exist within these organisations.

The 4,100 m² biomanufacturing and development centre is due to open officially early in 2006, allowing sufficient time for the highly technical and complex construction process to be completed.

Government investment includes an access fund of approximately £3 million which will allow UK biotech SME companies - particularly from Merseyside - to purchase services from the National Biomanufacturing Centre.

Eden Biodesign won the competitive tender for the contract due to its extensive expertise in all aspects of biopharmaceutical manufacturing; in particular, its experience in early stage development. With its existing base in the Northwest, Eden Biodesign is ideally placed to successfully implement this major investment project.

Crawford Brown, Chief Executive of Eden Biodesign, said: “The operational services of the National Biomanufacturing Centre will be aimed at the production of both pre-clinical and clinical material. Our focus is to provide the expertise and facilities to allow biotech companies to take advantage of best practice product development and manufacturing, right at the start of the development process. Our intention is to become Europe’s leading biopharmaceutical design facility.”

Conceived initially at the University of Liverpool by Professor Julian Crampton, the National Biomanufacturing Centre is funded by the Northwest Regional Development Agency and was developed by Bionow, the dedicated Biotech division of the Agency. The Department of Trade and Industry and the European Union Regional Development Fund also provided grant support.

Linda Magee, Head of Bionow at the Northwest Regional Development Agency, said: “This national facility will perform the initial manufacture of biopharmaceuticals that could then be used in early trials. The National Biomanufacturing Centre will speed up the transfer from research to commercial exploitation, which is a prevalent issue within the industry.”

For more information please contact Alex Upham or Sara Tye at redheadPR on 0870 240 5536 or 07734 906957 or email on alex@redheadpr.co.uk

Notes to editors:

Eden Biodesign, is a sister company to Eden Biopharm, the successful international biopharmaceutical development and manufacturing consultancy business. Eden Biodesign was incorporated in 2002 to provide laboratory-based product development and manufacturing services to biotech clients.

Eden promises a committed service, plus the knowledge and expertise to guide clients through process development, manufacturing, regulatory and technology transfer challenges.

The company’s promise is threefold:

·          To design best practice at every step of biopharmaceutical development programmes and processes

·          To develop ideas, potential and research products into valuable biopharmaceutical medicines

·          To deliver products and processes through commercial experience, facilities and commitment

The Northwest Regional Development Agency (NWDA) is responsible for the sustainable economic development and regeneration of England’s Northwest and has 5 key priorities: Business Development, Regeneration, Skills and Employment, Infrastructure, and Image.

For further information and to view previous press releases, please visit www.nwda.co.uk

Bionow^® has been established to encourage and nurture the growth of the biotechnology and pharmaceutical industry in England's Northwest. Supported by the Northwest Regional Development Agency (NWDA), it has been recognised by the Government as an example of best practice for cluster development.

For more information on Bionow please visit: http://www.bionow.co.uk/