Pharmaron Gene Therapy
Core team instrumental in multi-million Pharmaron acquisition
About Pharmaron Gene Therapy
The Pharmaron site in Speke, Liverpool has established itself as a global hub of expertise to serve the global cell and gene therapy product development community. Formerly owned by AbbVie, one of the world’s largest pharmaceutical companies, the site was acquired by China-based Pharmaron in 2021 for US$118.7 million.
Pharmaron, as one of the world leading life science service providers, has been investing heavily in the UK and now has 5 sites with over 800 employees, and there are plans for ambitious further growth in Liverpool where the site benefits from a long history of biological manufacturing capabilities and industry-leading expertise in R&D. The wider Pharmaron UK group covers a broad spectrum of services ranging from small molecule drug discovery and CMC services to radiolabelled chemistry and metabolism services.
Originally founded as Eden Biodesign in 2000, the Liverpool site has benefited from the longevity and experience of a dedicated workforce, with the majority of its core 150 staff members staying with the business. This has created a highly experienced and skilled talent pool within the organisation which has been a fundamental aspect of its ongoing success, and this was the key attractor for Pharmaron.
Benefits of being born in the Liverpool City Region (LCR)
The LCR is one of largest bio-manufacturing locations in Europe as well as a significant contributor to one of the top three clusters of biomedical activity in the UK. It has contributed to the LCR’s rich heritage of pharma. The region is now home to major pharma brands such as AstraZeneca, Baxter Healthcare, Bristol Myers Squibb, Nestle Health Science, Seqirus and Unilever, as well as to life science service providers, such as Pharmaron.
Originally, Eden Biodesign was recruited to design and operate the UK National Bio Manufacturing Centre in Speke, which was set up to help small companies and academics turn their bright ideas into real medicines, and the skills and technologies developed during this period helped to lay the foundations for Pharmaron’s future long-term success.
Now recognised as a central hub for Health and Life Science in the UK, the LCR continues to maintain a rich ecosystem of academics and professionals, who have the niche expertise required for such a complex field of manufacturing. With this development service capability available, the LCR may attract start-ups and biotechs to land.
Having played a key part in establishing the LCR as a leading area for the sector, Pharmaron Gene Therapy’s Liverpool operation is now able to reap the rewards through its collaboration with local universities and local, plus international, technology businesses. Over the years, the company has offered a range of opportunities to graduate and undergraduate students since 2005, with the first two – Katherine Roberts and Jemma Blocksidge – progressing through the ranks and still being at the company today.
The LCR’s great transport links and metropolitan offering have been essential in building international relationships. Having multiple global brands located in the City Region, as well as multiple international airports on Pharmaron’s doorstep, has connected the company to foreign clients and markets.
The journey so far
- The Liverpool site was acquired by Pharmaron in 2021 for US $118.7 million
- Over 200 jobs to be created in site expansion, following acquisition
Support from Growth Platform and the LCR
As part of the acquisition, there will be over 200 additional jobs created at the Liverpool site with the latest expansion plans. Pharmaron are working closely with the Liverpool City Regions Growth Company – Growth Platform, the Metro Mayor Steve Rotherham and the Liverpool Planning Office to design and deliver a plan that will benefit the wider community as well as drive forward the businesses growth plans.
Reflecting upon Liverpool’s position in the UK’s pharma sector, Vice President of Biologics Services Derek Ellison at Pharmaron said:
“Liverpool has established itself as the jewel in the UK’s biopharma manufacturing crown. This is because of the people. At Pharmaron Gene Therapy, we have fostered a culture that has been testament to our success – it’s friendly, vibrant, interactive and collaborative – and that is down to the character of the people from the City Region who work here.
“We strongly believe our culture is instrumental in helping us retain our skilled workforce with around 20% of our people in Liverpool staying with us for 10 years or more and we have a long history of developing and promoting talents from within the organisation.”
“We strongly believe our culture is instrumental in helping us retain our skilled workforce with around 20% of our people in Liverpool staying with us for 10 years or more and we have a long history of developing and promoting talents from within the organisation.”
Derek Ellison, Vice President of Biologics Services
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