Scotland’s University of Strathclyde is joining a partnership backing the new $74 million (£56 million) Medicines Manufacturing Innovation Center, which is touted as a first of its kind for the development of new pharmaceutical manufacturing techniques.
The center, which also is getting industry support, will focus on providing both large pharma and start-up companies with novel drug manufacturing processes that will help bring new medicines to market much faster, the university said.
Located in Renfrewshire near the $86 million National Manufacturing Institute for Scotland on the outskirts of Glasgow, the center hopes to raise more than $106 million in R&D investments by 2028. The project is expected to employ 80 by 2023.
“Strathclyde has earned an international reputation for research and innovation that accelerates and enhances the manufacturing of medicines and pharmaceuticals,” Sir Jim McDonald, Strathclyde principal professor, said in a statement. “As strategic partners in MMIC, we will have an enhanced role in supporting industry to deliver urgently-needed medicines both swiftly and effectively.”
Industry supporters for the new center include AstraZeneca and GlaxoSmithKline. Last summer, GSK opened a $56.6 million vaccines plant in Montrose, Scotland, that manufactures sterile aluminum salts.