Biotechnology
Based on the pioneering work done in the 1970’s a whole new business is being created to make pharmaceutical products from natural raw materials. The Avecia operation now employs over 500 people - the majority being graduate level skills in biotechnology to develop new products and innovative processes which will be used the medicines of the future.
Within a mile of the Avecia complex are small companies working on the building blocks of life. Cambridge Research Biochemicals (CRB) supports discovery research activities by providing custom-made research reagents, principally peptides and antibodies and Piramal Healthcare - Pharma Solutions specialises in the development of biocatalysts. In Stockton on Tees Cleveland Biotechnology has been pioneering natural solutions to handling effluents and waste materials. Further north in Sunderland and Newcastle, companies such as Novocastra, Orla Proteins, ImmunoDiagnostic Systems, Helena Bioscience, Hyclone and Millipore are significant contributors to the growing strength of the industry and supply chain in the region. These success stories illustrate how the traditional skills of the region in engineering and chemistry are becoming the foundation of a new industry in North East England. This sustained growth is encouraging further developments with One North East, Northumberland County Council, NEPIC and Centre of Excellence for Life Sciences collaborating in the creation of a focused Life Science and Biotechnology Business Park targeted for Cramlington.
This technological revolution in is often described in terms of the 4 main areas of activity:
• Red - Biotechnology in healthcare
• White - Biotechnology for industrial products
• Green - Biotechnology applied to environmental issues
• Blue - Biotechnology based on marine organisms
Biotechnology in the healthcare sector gets a lot of recognition but there are many other significant developments. Industrial biotechnology, the application of biotechnology for industrial purposes, including manufacturing, alternative energy (or “bioenergy”), and biomaterials is being enthusiastically embraced in the region and nationally. There are many barriers to overcome before its full potential can be realised. We need to integrate disciplines such as biochemistry, microbiology, molecular genetics and process technology to develop useful processes and products, based on microbial, animal or plant cells or enzymes as biocatalysts. Here in North East England working with industry and the public sector, NEPIC is helping to develop an industry which can face the fierce competition from overseas.
Developments in the region are being led by the centres of excellence based here. The Centre for Process Innovation (CPI) and the Centre of Excellence for Life Sciences (Cels) are leading national developments. The CPI for example hosts the National Industrial Biotechnology Facility which is developing new processes and products for UK and international businesses. The CPI and regional universities are also at the forefront of developments with marine organisms (blue biotechnology) while Cels focus their energy on the development of healthcare businesses.
