Pharma company’s move to Alderley Park will lead to 50 jobs

A cell and gene therapy solution provider is expanding its operations to Bruntwood SciTech’s Alderley Park campus in Cheshire, in a move which will create 50 jobs.

The expansion will enable Charles River to increase its High Quality (HQ) plasmid DNA capacity four-fold to meet the growing global demand for cell and gene therapeutic developers from discovery to commercialisation.

The new 17,000 sq ft high-specification lab space is currently under construction, with the business investing £7m in new equipment to support the growing need of customers and to safeguard future supply.

Charles River is currently located at nine sites throughout the UK, including one at High Peak.

The expansion follows Charles River’s acquisition of Keele-based Cobra Biologics, a plasmid DNA and viral vector cell and gene therapy contract development and manufacturing organisation, in March 2021.

Charles River will create 50 jobs, from apprentices through to experienced scientists, as part of its latest growth plans.

Dr Kath Mackay, director of life sciences at Bruntwood SciTech, a joint venture partnership between Bruntwood and Legal & General, said: “The treatment of rare or intractable diseases demands decades of investment, perseverance and patience in order to identify successful therapies and treatments.

“Charles River’s UK expansion and move to Alderley Park signals its commitment to tackling this challenge by driving the development and manufacture of these vital medicines. It also represents Alderley Park’s growing reputation as a globally recognised life sciences hub.”

Nick Smith, Alderley Park site director for Charles River, said: “We’re excited to expand our fit-for-purpose plasmid DNA and viral vector development and manufacturing capabilities in Europe.

“This expansion in particular enhances access to plasmid DNA that is in unprecedented demand.

“The additional supply of critical starting materials from a trusted and experienced partner enables therapeutic developers to confidently move forward with their programs and supports our mission to accelerate the delivery of innovative treatments to patients.”

He added: “Alderley Park is an impressive life sciences hub, and we are honoured to join this thriving ecosystem as we grow. This expansion is one of many to follow as we continue to create a strong, integrated global network to reliably support our customers from discovery to commercialisation.”

Home to more than 250 companies, the Alderley Park community also includes the Cancer Research UK Manchester Institute as well as global cell therapy business Instil Bio, and precision medicine businesses Kinomica and Sutura Therapeutics.

The campus also includes the likes of the Medicines Discovery Catapult, Sygnature Discovery, Evotec, and RedX Pharma, and by joining Bruntwood SciTech’s national network, Charles River will also be able to tap into a wider collective of industry collaborators.