Avecia invests $100m in biologics manufacturing

Published: 18-Apr-2002


One of the world's most advanced manufacturing facilities for biologics medicines is to be built at Billingham in the UK by Avecia. The US$100m (€113m) investment is the largest single spend by Avecia since its formation three years ago and will create 40,000l of contract manufacturing capacity for microbially derived biologics. The new plant will complement the Advanced Biologics Centre (ABC) and major process development team at Avecia's existing Billingham facility and will establish the company as a global leader in biologics contract manufacturing with integrated capability for development, trials and large-scale manufacturing to cGMP standards on a single site.

Stage one, which is due to come on stream in the third quarter of next year, will consist of two 5,000l capacity fermentation streams, each with independent separation and purification suites, to offer multi-product manufacturing capability. The second stage will add two 15,000l fermenters and associated purification streams, due to come on stream by 2005, enabling the plant to run four large-scale manufacturing campaigns simultaneously.

The new plant is to be built with flexibility in mind and with a view to expansion to help customers meet unpredictable demand schedules as products progress through clinical trials. Biologics currently account for more than 20% of all new drug approvals, and there are more than 250 microbially derived biologic medicines in clinical trials at present. Current global capacity is close to full utilisation, while demand by the healthcare industry for contract manufacturing of biologics is forecast to more than double to at least $700m (€792m) by 2005.

See more

You may also like

Medical Devices

Syensqo introduces medical-grade Amodel PPA for single-use, high-temperature medical devices

Read more
A new medical-grade Amodel PPA delivers high heat resistance, electrically insulative properties, and biocompatibility for advanced single-use medical instruments and assemblies

Trending Articles

  1. Continuous innovation: redefining the future of pharmaceutical manufacturing In an industry in which reliability is paramount and change can be slow, GEA has consistently proven that innovation and stability go hand in hand. Almost two decades ago, GEA introduced the first ConsiGma® continuous manufacturing (CM) system to the pharmaceutical market — a pioneering move that helped to reshape how oral solid dosage (OSD) forms are developed and produced
  2. Abselion launches AAVX and AAV9 Total Capsid Quantification Kits Ready-to-use solution for Amperia benchtop platform supports rapid, reliable quantification across a range of serotypes
  3. diaago and Peak Analysis & Automation partner to bring practical automation solutions to research laboratories Using diaago's customer-first approach with PAA’s decades of expertise in laboratory robotics, the collaboration promises to deliver solutions to streamline workflows, boost throughput and reduce bottlenecks
  4. Suncombe and Kindeva collaborate to deliver low-carbon inhalers to the NHS The partnership will develop next-generation pressurised metered-dose inhalers with low Global Warming Potential propellants, helping the NHS move closer to its Net Zero target
  5. Douglas Pharmaceuticals sets new benchmark for capsule quality with CI Precision Partnership delivers compliance confidence, efficiency gains and reduced waste

Upcoming event

Enhancing probiotic stability through smarter formulation and packaging strategies

18 September 2025 | Virtual See all

You may also like

Medical Devices

Syensqo introduces medical-grade Amodel PPA for single-use, high-temperature medical devices

A new medical-grade Amodel PPA delivers high heat resistance, electrically insulative properties, and biocompatibility for advanced single-use medical instruments and assemblies
Manufacturing

Sapio Sciences introduces world’s first 3rd-generation ELN

Sapio ELaiN is an AI-powered lab notebook designed to act as a scientific collaborator
Manufacturing

Signal Group launches MCERTS approved VOC emissions monitor

New SOLAR CEMNEX analyser offers advanced compliance and connectivity features
Research & Development

Genoskin raises $8.7m in its first funding round to advance its ethical, human-based alternatives to animal testing

The financing will drive Genoskin’s next phase of growth, with a view to scaling up operations in both the US and France
You need to be a subscriber to read this article.
Click here to find out more.
Packaging

Cloud labelling and serialisation: the new frontline of traceability in drug delivery

As drug delivery evolves to accommodate a new wave of data-driven innovation, the need for traceability and compliance throughout the supply chain is paramount. Innovative cloud-based solutions enable pharmaceutical companies to navigate these demands with confidence
Manufacturing

Sharp boosts autoinjector and pen assembly line capability with $20m investment in Pennsylvania facility

The money will boost its autoinjector and pen assembly, labelling and packaging lines across various therapeutic areas at its facility in Macungie, meeting the rising demand for injectables
Manufacturing

L.B. Bohle to showcase machines for OSD, food and nutraceuticals at PACK EXPO 2025

Company to present advanced blending, particle sizing and coating technologies at Las Vegas event
Subscribe now