The CMO is one of only 40 businesses to win a UKTI Horizons grant, which will assist in the development of a market entry plan, generate enquiries and win new contracts.
Shirley Dann, managing director of SCM Pharma, said: "Having grown the business from UK-based clients over the past few years, our eyes are now firmly set on targeting specific international markets with our specialist service offerings in order to expand the business further."
SCM Pharma has grown by almost 50% in the past 12 months to post a record year. Around half of the projects undertaken are novel or bespoke and generally require a high level of technical expertise and facilities.
The company works across a number of therapeutic areas including cancer, rheumatoid arthritis, epilepsy, dermatitis, needle-free injection technology and sexual health. It offers sterile and non-sterile GMP production services to assist clients progressing their innovative drug products or medical devices through clinical trials.
With an emphasis on hazardous, novel and difficult products, SCM Pharma also provides customers with a commercial supply of licensed products requiring ongoing small-medium scale volumes.
Working with its dedicated UKTI International trade adviser Craig Daglish, SCM Pharma is starting a 10-month sales and marketing campaign.
"The Horizon's scheme aims to support companies in the North East that have the ability to significantly grow their turnover in overseas markets," said Daglish. "We are specifically looking to support those companies that have an internationally competitive product or service, which coupled with our support will not only bring a significant return on investment for the company, but also for the region as a whole."
UKTI and One North East launched the £1m Horizons scheme last year through the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF).
The ERDF 2007-2013 programme is bringing more than £300m into North East England to support innovation and enterprise. It will help create 28,000 jobs, start 3,000 new businesses and increase the region's productivity by £1.1bn per annum.
