Intertek to open new lab in light of pharma demand for immunochemistry
The laboratory – which will be based at Intertek’s existing site at Blackley in the north of the city - will provide bioanalytical services to support the preclinical and clinical development of large molecule pharmaceuticals.
A spokeswoman told us: “The expansion gives clients access to bioanalytical support for biologic medicines such as monoclonal antibodies, proteins and biosimilars in both Europe and the US.”
She added that: “The new facility mirrors our existing San Diego immunochemistry facility, which was expanded last year, and will provide global clients access to specific methods operated from both facilities, requiring no further local validation.”
News of the new lab comes just a few weeks after Intertek opened a stability testing facility in Cambridge to cater for firms developing small molecule drugs, biopharmaceuticals and medical devices.
It's a mab mab mab mab world
Immunochemistry is concerned with the molecules and mechanisms of the immune system - notably antibodies and antigens – which have the potential to be turned into more effective treatments for a wide range of diseases.
This potential has already been recognised by the drug industry with virtually all of the major firms – Pfizer, BMS, AstraZeneca, Eli Lilly and Novartis – announcing Immunochemistry-focused deals and investments in the past two years.
And growing drug industry interest has been cited as an investment driver by a number of other contract services firms in recent years.
For example, last month LabCorp said its acquisition of Covance had been driven in part by resurgent pharma interest in the immunochemistry.
In May last year US contract research organisation (CRO) PRA invested in a new immunochemistry lab for its facility in Kansas and Harlan partnered with France’s Bertin Pharma to ramp-up large molecule bioanalysis capabilities.
