Tata-backed pharma start-up chooses Stoke site

A NEW PHARMACEUTICAL firm has launched a testing facility at Stoke’s Trentham Lakes business park following an injection of funding by Tata Steel UKsubsidiary Steel Enterprise.

Helvic Laboratories owners Nick Speakman and Dr Ruairi O’Donnell received an unsecured loan from UK Steel Enterprise, together with grant funding from Advantage West Midlands, to establish a sterility and microbiological testing facility.

Mr Speakman said: “Tthere is a huge requirement for sterility and microbiological testing of products for use on both humans and animals. The cost of these tests is very high and the level of service is not good, companies have to wait several weeks for results. Our intention is to offer a quick turnaround at a lower price than our competitors whilst operating to the highest standards.”

The new company has secured two long-term contracts with major pharmaceutical companies with more customers in the pipeline, he said.

He said: “Opening the new facility in Stoke was very much governed by the geographical position near a motorway and the availability of financial help.  

“The UK Steel Enterprise funds have been crucial to us getting the new laboratories and cleanrooms ready for licensing by the MHRA, which we have now achieved. Having got our MHRA accreditation we are now ready to grow the business.

“Our facility at Trentham Lakes has been built to provide capacity to accommodate the growth included in our five year plan and we will be creating further new jobs as we go. We currently employ five scientists and have put the day-to-day running of the facility into the hands of Dr Nicola Tomprefa, who is an experienced microbiologist.”

UK Steel Enterprise’s Allan Wood said: “This is just the sort of company we enjoy supporting. They have a sound business plan, a ready market for their services having seen a niche which is crying out to be filled, and the expertise to ensure the business is a success.

“We are a not-for-profit company and our whole ethos is to put something back into areas affected by the rationalisation of the steel industry. We are able to invest up to £750,000 in growing businesses and more companies in the Stoke area could benefit from contacting us to discuss their plans.“