CUTTING-EDGE pharmaceutical companies from across the region will meet to discuss the future of the industry tomorrow.
The industry, which employs thousands of people in the North East and is one of the biggest economic generators for the region is gathering at the Pharmaceutical and Biotechnology Sector – Opportunities and Developments in the North East conference.
More than 120 representatives of big companies, including GlaxoSmith-Kline and Sanofi-Aventis as well as well as smaller but fast-growing firms, including Boldon-based Immunodiagnostic Systems and Prudhoe-based The Specials Laboratory will gather at the Stadium of Light Stadium for the event. Experts from industry and Newcastle University will discuss the importance of biotechnology to the future of the sector and speakers from global companies will be leading talks on how to improve skills in the industry.
In 2010, UK Trade & Investment figures revealed that total exports from the region had increased by 5.7% to reach £11.26bn for the year. This handful of pharmaceutical companies contributed over 2% of this great result for the region.
One of the organisers is the process industry group Sunderland-based Nepic, which will be highlighting recent developments, including US research organisation Covvance’s acquisisition of the research facilities at Sanofi-Aventis in Alnwick.
Nepic chief executive Dr Stan Higgins, said: “We have a fantastic capability here to carry out all aspects of work in the pharmaceutical value chain, from research, clinical assessment and testing, through pilot-scale manufacture and formulation, to packaging and distribution. The sector’s supply chain is wide ranging, with local companies providing analytical services, process, construction and maintenance engineering, and many other management services from recruitment to disaster planning.
“There are many providers of active pharmaceutical ingredients and other chemical raw materials to these frontline manufacturers, and are all very significant businesses in their own right.
“This sector is now the powerhouse of the region’s industry and it needs to be recognised and nurtured in a way that helps these companies find new business, investment and to establish their supply chain and infrastructure connections as efficient as possible.”