Phased expansion for Peakdale

As part of its phased expansion programme, the UK's fastest growing contract research company, Peakdale Molecular, has fitted out two additional laboratories at its Derbyshire HQ, which, when taken with the completion of a kilo lab announced in February, has increased capacity by 60% compared with 2002.

To support the expansion, Peakdale is recruiting 14 chemists and has doubled the capacity of its analytical department, employing two more analysts, investing in additional LC-MS and prep HPLC systems and upgrading its nmr machine.

Designed and constructed at a cost of £4m (US$6m), Peakdale's HQ has the capacity for 17 laboratories and could ultimately employ up to 102 scientists with 18 support staff. Following the current recruitment, Peakdale will employ 40 chemists in the eight laboratories commissioned to date.

The building has been designed to a modular concept, with each laboratory benefiting from a £100,000 fit-out and featuring eight fume cupboards in a standard layout. Every laboratory unit is staffed by a technical manager, supported by up to five scientists and acts as an individual business unit, responsible for its own cost base, profits and budgeting.

Peakdale CEO Kimberley Morrison commented: 'Since moving to our new premises last year, we have invested significantly in both facilities and personnel. We now have eight labs which are operational, including two parallel synthesis labs, five custom synthesis labs and a kilo lab. We have successfully completed the first recruitment phase to occupy these labs and plan to create more positions in the coming months. We will continue to enhance capacity and technology at this world class facility, through our programme of phased strategic growth.'