Nektar closes Bradford site to focus on drug delivery technology
US company Nektar Therapeutics has closed its site in Bradford, UK, as part of its ongoing strategy to realign business operations with a focus on product development using its leading drug delivery technologies.
US company Nektar Therapeutics has closed its site in Bradford, UK, as part of its ongoing strategy to realign business operations with a focus on product development using its leading drug delivery technologies.
Nektar had announced in May its intent to dispose of its UK operation and supercritical fluid technology. Approximately 35 people were employed at the site, a small number of whom will remain for a short transition period.
"As Nektar transitions from being a technology development company to a commercial entity focused on achieving profitability, it is important that we channel our resources into those businesses that will drive future growth," said Robert B. Chess, chairman, and acting president and ceo of Nektar.
"To this end, disposing of our supercritical fluid processing technology represents a significant first step in aligning our spending with those activities that will drive our revenue in the near-term: developing proprietary products based on our drug delivery technology; Exubera Inhalation Powder and diabetes lifecycle management products; and high-value partner programmes."
Chess still believes that supercritical fluid processing is a promising technology to manufacture pow-dered drugs. "However, we do not believe this technology would enable products Nektar could develop itself and consequently it is not a fit for our strategy," he added. "To lower our cost structure, we have closed down the Bradford operation, but will continue to seek a buyer for the intellectual property and other assets."