Scotland's First Minister, John Swinney and the UK Minister of State for Science, Research and Innovation, Lord Vallance, have marked the beginning of construction on a £20m pharmaceutical manufacturing facility in Paisley, Glasgow.
The site will act as Glasgow's oligonucleotide manufacturing innovation centre, and should be completed in 2025.
This facility will significantly enhance the oligonucleotide manufacturing capabilities of the area — bolstering the UK's standing in the biopharmaceutical trade.
The potential of oligonucleotides
Oligonucleotides, which are comprised of short synthetic strands of either DNA or RNA, have been gaining notoriety in the biopharmaceutical industry, as they can target the underlying drivers of disease.
Therapeutics derived from oligonucleotides have the potential to provide treatments for challenging diseases such as cancer and Alzheimer's disease — with many currently in clinical trials.
By building this facility in the UK, the British government hopes to place the nation at the forefront of their development and manufacture, which could boost the economy and provide patients with life-saving treatments.
The centre will be responsible for the development of sustainable manufacturing processes, which can allow the efficient production of oligonucleotides if they reach the market.
Jointly supported by UK and Scottish Governments through funding from the Office for Life Sciences and Scottish Enterprise, the new centre will act as a catalyst for economic growth and collaboration, creating high-skilled jobs and helping to form an innovative medicines manufacturing cluster in Scotland.
The centre will be operated by CPI and positioned next to CPI’s Medicines Manufacturing Innovation Centre, expanding the company’s footprint at the Advanced Manufacturing Innovation District Scotland (AMIDS).
Facilitating workforce growth and development
To ensure that the workforce are equipped to produce these complex therapies, the Industry Skills Accelerator — an collaboration between CPI, Cogent Skills and the Cell and Gene Therapy Catapult — will deliver a range of training programmes.
These initiatives will equip experienced professionals and newcomers with the skills needed to successfully and efficiently manufacture oligonucleotides, while also addressing skill gaps.
Delivered in partnership with RESILIENCE — the UK Medicines Manufacturing Skills Centre of Excellence — this programme will ensure the UK remains at the forefront of innovation in oligonucleotide therapeutics.
First Minister, John Swinney, noted: “This centre brings together life sciences and manufacturing – two of our most successful sectors. We know the life sciences sector is good for Scotland’s economy, but the medicines that will be made in Paisley will benefit people around the world by offering innovative and life-saving therapies with the potential to treat cancer, heart disease and Alzheimer’s disease."
“The Scottish Government contributed £10.275 million to this project through Scottish Enterprise. We did so because it reflects my commitment to transforming our approach to innovation by building new partnerships and driving collaboration between governments, industry and academic institutions.”
Frank Millar, CEO of CPI, said: “The Oligonucleotide Manufacturing Innovation Centre of Excellence will ensure we can get life-saving therapies to patients quicker, supporting the health and wellbeing of people around the world.
“The centre demonstrates the UK’s leadership in advancing high-value manufacturing and healthcare innovation. By investing in the manufacturing technologies of tomorrow, we are not only strengthening the UK’s competitiveness on the global stage but bringing impact back into the regions where we operate, enhancing our ability to attract inward investment and creating high-skilled jobs.”