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In a significant development for the UK’s pharmaceutical sector, Upperton Pharma Solutions inaugurated its new 50,000 square foot development and GMP manufacturing facility in Nottingham. The event was distinguished by the presence of Professor Dame Sarah Gilbert, the luminary behind the Oxford/AstraZeneca COVID-19 vaccine, accompanied by key figures from the biotech industry and local leadership.
The ceremony, which featured the unveiling of a commemorative plaque, included participation from Darren Henry MP, representing the local constituency, alongside prominent professionals from the industry.
Upperton Pharma Solutions’ CEO, Nikki Whitfield, reflected on the occasion, stating, “This celebration marks another milestone in our incredible growth journey as a business. We are looking forward to officially opening our doors to customers and offering a single site solution for development and GMP manufacturing.”
The event’s Guest of Honour, Professor Dame Sarah Gilbert, who serves as the Principal Investigator at the Pandemic Sciences Institute, University of Oxford, and is renowned for her role in co-developing the Oxford/AstraZeneca COVID-19 vaccine, expressed her enthusiasm about the facility’s opening: “It was a pleasure to join Upperton for the grand opening of their new facility. During the pandemic we saw the importance of academia and industry working closely together to deliver life-saving vaccines and treatments. Upperton’s expansion into this new site is a great example of the crucial role UK-based pharmaceutical organisations have to play in addressing global health challenges. I look forward to collaborating with Upperton in the future.”
Upperton’s newly launched site is equipped with ten GMP manufacturing suites, state-of-the-art quality control laboratories, and formulation development facilities, inclusive of a pilot plant. This setup positions Upperton to seamlessly transition projects from early-stage formulation development to clinical trial supplies for Phase 1 through Phase 3, as well as niche commercial manufacturing, all from a single location.
This opening signifies a landmark moment for Upperton, coinciding with the ongoing construction of an adjacent sterile facility designed for the manufacture of aseptic and terminally sterilised small-volume liquids for parenteral, ocular, and pulmonary delivery, anticipated to be completed by the end of 2024.