BIOTECHNOLOGY about biotechnology
Introduction Biotechnology from humble beginnings based on fermentation processes used to make foods, alcoholic drinks, antibiotics and more recently, speciality chemicals the world of biotechnology has transformed. We now have new biotechnology or rather a collection of technologies based on cellular and biomolecular processes used to make new products and solve a range of major problems. Biotechnology now embraces biopharmaceuticals (from relatively simple molecules like insulin to complex monoclonals such as herceptin). Biotechnology includes the products of stem cell research, regenerative medicine and diagnostics driven by our improved understanding of molecular biology and market driven opportunities around personalised, feel-good and regenerative medicines. Biotechnology is used in speciality food products, flavours and fragrances yet more branches of biotechnology are used to support the environment, in the move away from non renewable fossil fuels (e.g in making bioethanol); plastics can also be made from biotechnology routes and biotechnology is increasingly being used to solve complex environmental clean up problems. So whether it be Red (medical); Green (environmental), White (industrial) or Blue (marine) there is an application and a real place for biotechnology here in North East England - with all these applications being represented amongst our growing biotechnology cluster. What s more, biotechnology in the NEPIC footprint is closely linked to our other process operations chemicals, specialities and pharmaceuticals. Mergers between pharma and biotech companies are strengthening these links as big pharma looks for more early stage targets. North East England s biotechnology sector benefits from infrastructure, relationships and interdependencies that have been built up over many years.
The growing biotechnology cluster in North East England The number of companies with biotech interests in North East England has grown from 28 in 2003 to over 50 in 2006. The sector empolys over 5,000 people and contributes over 700 million to our economy conservatively predicted to grow by 40% over the next 5 years. Major recent investments in bio processing and related pharmaceutical projects - 450M & 1700 jobs from 2003 to 2006 including - Avecia Biologics (Teesside), sanofi-aventis (Tyne & Wear), SSL International (Durham), Lundbeck Pharmaceuticals (Teesside), The Specials Laboratory (Northumberland), Novocastra (Tyne & Wear), HyClone (Northumberland), New biodiesel and bioethanol Plants (Teesside). Renew Tees Valley is leading the drive toward biofuels (biodiesel and bioethanol). The region s commitment to centres of excellence such as the Centre for Process Innovation (CPI), embracing the national centre for scale-up of bioprocesses - and the Centre of Excellence in Life Sciences (CELS). Five regional Universities with biotech interests providing spin out opportunities and conducting leading edge stem cell & regenerative medicine research and a range of other key biotechnology research activities. A regional commitment to promote and support North East England as a real biotechnology cluster and a leading location for bioprocessing activities. Access to a readily available skilled workforce with a commitment from training and educational organisations to develop new programmes to meet new needs including biotechnology foundation degrees, studentship and e-learning. Join this exciting sector in the North East and be part of the wider process industry here, with a total turnover approaching 10 billion - including 33% of the UK s pharmaceutical GDP.
Scope of biotechnology in North East England just some of the companies demonstrating the range of our activities Diagnostics, reagents & assay systems Hart Biologicals Helena Biosciences HyClone Immunodiagnostic Systems Novocastra Transgenomics Cambridge Research Biochemicals Environmental & analysis Cleveland Biotech Microbac NewTec Process design & engineering Excelsyn domnick hunter Clean Design ABB Bioprocess development, scale up and manufacture of microbial/mammalian cell systems Avecia Biologics Angel Biotechnology Centre for Process Innovation (CPI) Informatics & data management Nonlinear Dynamics Biosystems Informatics Institute (Bii) Applied lmaging International Speciality Chemicals High Force Research Oxford Chemicals Frutarom Molecular biology Creative Gene Technology Orla Proteins Tecnologies BioToolomics Pharmaceuticals Merck Sharp & Dohme sanofi-aventis GlaxoSmithKline The Specials Laboratory Nicholas Piramal Aesica Pharmaceuticals
Example company profiles Avecia Biologics has grown from 80 to over 500 staff over the last 5 years and has industry-leading capabilities in the process development, scale-up and manufacture of microbial-derived biopharmaceuticals and oligonucleotides. With a strong focus on quality and cgmp, compliance, Avecia has a deep understanding of regulatory requirements in Europe and the USA. Avecia's innovation, rapid analytical and process development capabilities provide customers with unique links that can support them through every stage in the life cycle of the industry's next generation of biotechnology medicines. As the market for these medicines continues to grow over the coming years, Avecia is committed to increasing its manufacturing capacity to meet customer needs. Cambridge Research Biochemicals (CRB) is focused on the custom manufacture of peptides and antibodies and is committed to offering the best service and the highest quality products in this sector. CRB was founded in 1980 and was the the first company to commercialise Fmoc solid-phase peptide synthesis. Their customers are able to access this experience that has come from twenty years of peptide synthesis. They believe in building strong relationships with customers and encouraging a dialogue to ensure that correct peptide and peptide specifications are chosen. Angel Biotechnology is a world class, contract biopharmaceutical company offering process development services, pre-gmp and cgmp manufacturing to support biotechnology and pharmaceutical companies worldwide. Angel's principal activity is the manufacture and supply of materials for use in early stage drug development and pre-clinical studies, along with drug product and CMC documentation for Phases I, II and III clinical trials and the manufacture of licensed drugs or vaccines. Immunodiagnostic Systems Limited (IDS) is a dynamic company, an SME, dedicated to the development and provision of innovative assays for use in clinical and research laboratories worldwide. From a modest sales and distribution operation established in 1977, IDS has become not only a developer and manufacturer in its own right, but also nurtures technology development externally in British universities and research institutes. IDS is focussed on sustaining its position as a fully integrated In Vitro Diagnostics (IVD) company, building and maintaining capability in de novo product design, development, manufacture and global marketing. HyClone is a global supplier of cell culture and bioprocessing systems for application in research and production. The company manufactures media for commonly used cell lines and works with customers to develop bespoke media formulations. In addition to sera and media, HyClone also provides BioProcess Container (BPC ) Systems-sterile, disposable bags of medical grade film ideal for transport, dispensing and storage of sterile liquids. Cleveland Biotech (CBL) was established in 1993 and provides innovative natural solutions to the growing problems of pollution in particular to those arising from the discharge of effluents and wastes into the environment. The company breeds and acclimatises a variety of naturally occurring microorganisms from which products are then formulated for use in the degradation of specific wastes. They are leaders in the field of biomass engineering and currently are providing solutions to pollution control problems in the UK, Europe, United States, South America, Middle and Far East and the Pacific region.
Regional initiatives a supportive environment A supportive Regional Development Agency and cluster support organisations North East Process Industry Cluster (NEPIC), offers a wide range of initiatives to support biotechnology companies including: Skills & Education Innovation Supply Chain & Logistics Manufacturing Efficiency & Productivity Engineering & Construction International Trade Centre of Excellence for Life Sciences (CELS), including: BioNEt the region s bio-science research network, with 1,200 members in companies, universities and the NHS. The Healthcare Network a sector support group for healthcare & life science companies. Commercial business support services in funding support, IP, marketing and consultancy. Centre for Process Innovation (CPI), driving innovation in the process industries, including a state-of-the-art national facility for biotransformation and bioprocessing. Regional Benefits A welcoming and supportive community environment, keen to attract biotechnology companies. An extensive, inter-related process industry supply chain in a relatively small geographic location, creating intimacy and a high level of service. 5* biotechnology university departments conducting leading edge biotech research and providing practical deliverables, such as analysis & testing, R&D support and top level training. Newcastle University holds the only licence for stem cell research in the UK. A range of strategic sites available throughout the region from incubator units, through scale up development to world scale bioprocessing options. The new Biopark in the north of the region with both incubator and bespoke units and strong links to the region s underpinning science and technology base. Newcastle Science City, a major development linking business with research and education, and the International Centre for Life, the UK s first bio-science village, complete with research, educational, conferencing and commercial activities.
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