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Genzyme plans on growing Cambridge base

Written by Ben Fountain

Tuesday, 11 March 2008

Following hot on the heels of the announcement that it is to invest "tens of millions of pounds" in its Haverhill manufacturing facility, US biotech giant, Genzyme has revealed that it intends to significantly expand its Cambridge research base. UK government relations director, Steve Bates told Business Weekly that his company expects to unveil details of the up-scaling of the Cambridge Science Park base in the "not too distant future", with research into human monoclonal antibodies the driving force behind the move. Genzyme first opened its Cambridge R&D operation in 2004, sub-letting space from Xenova Biomanufacturing. It is not yet clear whether the latest wave of expansion will involve moving to its own dedicated facility. As home to both Cambridge Antibody Technology (now MedImmune) and the research lab that spun it out, the MRC's Laboratory of Molecular Biology, as well as fast-growing online antibody retailer, Abcam, Cambridge can claim to have a world-class capability in the science of monoclonal antibodies. Bates told us: "The science and expertise base in the East of England makes it the ideal region in which to expand our UK research and manufacturing activities." Genzyme’s presence in the UK includes manufacturing plants in Haverhill and Kent, research and development labs in Cambridge, and a commercial office in Oxford supporting the provision of medicines for patients with rare inherited diseases, kidney disease, cancer and other conditions. It employs 600 nationwide.  Genzyme has been conducting polymer manufacturing in Haverhill for eight years, producing the bulk product for its kidney disease drug and it is this facility that will be expanded. The company has been manufacturing in Haverhill for 25 years. Trade minister, Lord Digby Jones said: “It is fantastic news that one of the world's leading biotech companies has decided to further invest in its manufacturing operations in the UK.  I welcome Genzyme's choice to build on the success and innovation of the UK's capability for its latest expansion. Genzyme Chairman and CEO Henri Termeer added: “We established our roots in the UK very early in our development, and over the years we have significantly expanded our investment in the country.  Today, we are actively engaged in many areas in the UK, including clinical and scientific research and manufacturing, and delivering our full portfolio of innovative treatments to UK physicians and patients.” When in full production later this year Genzyme expects the Haverhill plant to hold something of a niche record - the world’s largest multistage API synthesis plant for a patented drug anywhere in the world. Bates said that the Haverhill expansion represents an investment likely to total tens of millions of pounds, it was more likely to "secure existing jobs for the next generation" than create new ones at least in the short term. Set as favorite Bookmark Email This Hits: 477 Trackback(0) TrackBack URI for this entry Comments (0) Subscribe to this comment's feed Write comment This content has been locked. You can no longer post any comment.

 

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