Pharmaceutical world leader stays on Teesside
December 2009
From left: Piramal's Bob Holt, Chris Reeve and Toni Fleming
A drug development and manufacturing company has moved into The Wilton Centre after coming to the end of its lease at the former ICI site in Billingham.
Staff working for the biocatalysis division of Piramal Healthcare had feared they might have to leave Teesside after more than 20 years.
Robert Holt, Director of Biocatalysis, said: "The Wilton Centre provides a professional looking environment in keeping with our industry's needs.
"Having access to services such as waste-handling, safety infrastructure, library facilities, meeting rooms, restaurant and conferencing facilities is all highly advantageous.
"Being close to CPI's National Industrial Biotechnology Facility (NIBF) - which is also based at The Wilton Centre - is a nice bonus as there is likely to be considerable synergy between what we both do."
The division, which is involved in the development of novel, cost-effective ways to synthesise pharmaceuticals based on the application of enzymes, has moved into a 1,000 sq ft lab and an office and storage area.
Centre Accommodation Manager Steve Duffield said: "The biocatalysis division is a world leader in the discovery, development and application of biocatalysts in the manufacture of complex pharmaceuticals and we are delighted that our facilities have enabled such a top team to remain on Teesside."