CatSci, an innovation partner for medicines development, is expanding its capabilities in material science, analytical science and pre-formulation studies to better serve its customers’ needs. This expansion will be supported by an approximately $4.2 million investment over the next two years and the opening of a secondary site in Dagenham, Essex, UK, in April 2021. The new facility will help to increase the UK’s scientific exports and solidify the UK as a center for excellence in pharmaceutical research and development (R&D).
 
CatSci’s enhanced capabilities will include addressing new modalities and asset classes, such as oligonucleotides, alongside additional capacity for GMP analytical testing. By adding better solid form characterization to its material science offerings and increasing its pre-formulation capabilities, CatSci aims to break down the barriers between drug substance and drug product to improve medicines development. By following a science-led approach, with the end product in mind, CatSci will expedite the development and launch of new medicines.
 
To lead these expansion plans, CatSci has appointed Nigel Richardson as the director of analytical technology and new modalities and Robert Dennehy as director of crystallization and solid state.
 
Richardson will also take up the position of site director at the new analytical facility in Dagenham, utilizing his expertise in analytical technology, oligonucleotide development and previous role as senior director within the CMC analytical division at GlaxoSmithKline (GSK).
 
Dennehy, whose experience includes leading the particle sciences team at GSK, will develop the workflows for CatSci’s material science lab and act as a consultant for the transformation of CatSci’s solid form capabilities.
 
The facility and capabilities expansion will help CatSci on its path to becoming a fully integrated CMC company, one that continually evolves to provide ‘more and better’ for customers bringing best-in-class therapeutics to patients in need. It also follows the current trend for expansion within the buoyant UK based life science sector. Innovation in this area will create more jobs and help to solidify the UK as a key player in the global pharmaceutical development industry.
 
“It is a fantastic time to be expanding our business in the UK pharmaceutical R&D space,” said Ross Burn, chief executive officer, CatSci. “These increased capabilities will significantly contribute to CatSci’s current offerings and will be a continuation of the already successful £1.3 million expansion we’ve just completed. We’re confident that this next step will offer strategic value to our customers’ journey from molecule to medicine and strengthen the UK economy.”