Member Article

Grant sparks chemical reaction at North East firm

Grant investment from One North East is providing the catalyst for expansion at a regional chemical firm.

Cambridge Research Biochemicals (CRB), a manufacturer of antibodies for medical research, has embarked on a £100,000 project to expand its production capabilities in its Tees Valley facility.

The expansion has been made possible thanks to a £34,000 Grant for Business Investment from regional development agency One North East.

The new investment will allow CRB, which is based on Belasis Hall Technology Park, Billingham, to purchase a new peptide synthesiser machine to increase its output. The company will also be expanding its workforce with the recruitment of two chemists to support this activity.

Emily Humphrys, CRB Commercial Director said: “We are thrilled to have been supported by One North East and are optimistic about our future growth. We aim to be the UK’s number one specialist company for research peptides and antibodies and more importantly first choice supplier.

“We are also intent on increasing our export sales that already account for 46% of our turnover.”

One North East Director of Business and Industry, Ian Williams, said: “I am pleased that we have been able to support this company, which relocated to the North East 20 years ago and has grown steadily ever since.

“CRB prides itself on working closely with its customers in developing custom products and this investment will strengthen this section of the business.”

CRB provides custom peptides and antibodies to the pharmaceutical and academic market, with their products primarily being used for discovery research stage of drug development. The company’s customers include pharmaceutical giants Pfizer, GlaxoSmithKline and AstraZeneca and others based in the pharmaceutical and biotechnology sector; however it is seeking to increase its share in the academic sector.

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Ruth Mitchell .