Porton Biopharma (PBL) in Wiltshire has begun the construction of a new multi-million pound facility on the Porton Down Science Park locared near Salisbury, Wiltshire, in a ground-breaking ceremony led by local MP John Glen.
The firm is creating a pharmaceutical process facility that will contain a new state-of-the-art fermenter, process train and associated utilities.
The building and associated plant of approximately 2100m2 will enable PBL to manufacture medicinal products more efficiently in a modern environment that will continue to comply with all the latest pharmaceutical regulations.
It will include a viewing gallery to enable visitors to see the hi-tech process without having to go through the gowning-up process that is required for everyone that enters cleanroom pharmaceutical manufacturing facilities.
The facility is expected to be ready for operation within two years.
This is PBL's second major investment and follows the opening of a multi-million pound new freeze drying facility in February by the Minister for Life Sciences, George Freeman MP.
'To see the start of the construction stage for this new fermentation facility represents an exciting moment of progress for all of us who are dedicated to growing PBL, since it will enable us to produce more of our products that truly make a difference to patients’ lives,' said Dr Roger Hinton, Managing Director of PBL.
The construction phase follows the demolition of older facilities to prepare the site and will include building a new workshop and water plant room to support the main fermentation facility. After this there will be a phased programme of equipment installation and pharmaceutical validation.
While work is taking place, PBL will continue to manufacture at its existing plant.