New regional pharma and speciality chemicals organisation set up

Published: 1-Apr-2003

The pharmaceutical and speciality chemical sectors in the north-east of England generate


The pharmaceutical and speciality chemical sectors in the north-east of England generate £1.1bn (€1.6bn) in GDP and employ some 12,000 people in more than 100 companies.

In view of the importance of this sector to the regional economy, a new organisation, Pharmaceutical & Speciality Cluster Limited (S&P Cluster), has been set up to represent these companies to industrial partners, government agencies and academic collaborators.

It will operate in the following areas:

• Creating a working network between members and improving the knowledge base of the cluster

• Facilitating technology transfer between the region's centres of excellence

• Representing the cluster to national & regional government

• Building academic partnerships to enhance career prospects in the region

• Developing the region's infrastructure to support vocational skills

• Improving linkages and co-ordinating collaborative research projects with the regions university research base

• Assisting in the attraction of new businesses to the region

• Helping to identify, attract and retain the best people within the region

The board of P&S Cluster has appointed Dr Stan Higgins as ceo. He has held leadership roles in several companies in the pharmaceutical and speciality chemical Industry, and can provide manufacturing, technical and commercial expertise to help drive the cluster's programme forward.

The board of P&S Cluster includes representatives of companies such as Avecia, GlaxoSmithKline, Merk Sharp & Dohme, Oxford Chemicals, Rhodia Chirex and Thomas Swan. The University of Sunderland represents the region's Universities, while regional and national government agencies are linked to the Cluster through ONE NorthEast and the Department of Trade and Industry.

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