Global drug development business announces expansion into York facility

Covance, the drug development business, has announced plans to expand operations into York.

The business, which is currently based in Harrogate, will be expanding into the National Agri-Food Innovation Campus (NAFIC) which is purpose-built for laboratory and scientific services.

Opening in late 2017, the laboratory extension in York will allow Covance expand its biopharmaceutical chemistry, manufacturing and control (BioPharmCMC) capabilities.

The business, which is a subsidiary of Laboratory Corporation of America Holdings, will then be able to serve the global demand for large-molecule (biologic) medicines, including antibodies, vaccines, biosimilars and cell-based and gene therapies.

John Ratliff, chief executive officer of Covance, said: “Covance is a recognized leader in providing global BioPharmCMC solutions, in large part due to its reputation for operational, service and scientific excellence at our Harrogate facility.

“By investing in the Harrogate BioPharmCMC expansion into nearby York, we continue to strengthen our leadership in this space, providing our clients with the end-to-end expertise and support they need from our highly skilled scientists to improve health and improve lives of patients around the world.”

Greg Hands, U.K. minister of state for trade and investment, added: “This investment by Covance in new laboratories at the National Agri-Food Innovation Campus in York is another boost for the U.K.’s £64bn life sciences and biopharma sectors.

“It will add more high-skilled jobs to the approximately 1,000 Covance employees already in Harrogate and strengthen the U.K.’s leadership in the discovery and development of new medicines and treatments for use around the world.”

Roger Marsh OBE, Chair of Leeds City Region Enterprise Partnership, also commented: “I’m delighted to see Covance not only recommit its future to the City Region but make a substantial new investment here.

“I believe that these new laboratories in York are a testament to the confidence in the City Region and our life sciences sector.

“This investment by one of the global leaders in drug development will ensure that our City Region remains at the forefront of the sector and recognises the unique ecosystem which makes it a world leading destination for healthcare and life science businesses.

“We at the Leeds City Region Enterprise Partnership (LEP), were happy to support Covance with this expansion in our region.”

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