Onyx Scientific is set to increase the size of its UK-based site by over 30pc following the best performance in the company’s 15 year history. The contract research organization (CRO) and small-scale API manufacturer is investing in an additional site located adjacent to its existing facility in Northeast England to help its clients accelerate candidates from discovery to production.

The additional space will be used to increase its laboratory facilities, GMP suites and allocate space for storage of GMP materials. As part of the expansion initiative, Onyx has recruited several more chemists to support clients’ pre-clinical, development and early stage API manufacturing projects.

“It’s been a challenging few years for CROs across the industry but our team has continued to work hard to always exceed clients’ expectations, which has led to a very loyal customer base and regular repeat business,” said Denise Bowser, commercial director, Onyx Scientific. “Although we have come to the end of a very positive year, we have never been a firm to rest on our laurels. With the support of our parent company Ipca Laboratories, we are very much investing in our physical capacity, equipment and technical resource.

This latest venture follows investment last year to grow its GMP space following an increase in demand for its small scale API manufacturing services.

Established back in 2000, Onyx Scientific now provides clients with the production of API in up to 50l-100l equipment under current GMP regulations, which fits with its earlier stage custom synthesis, lead optimization and analytical services.

“The decision to expand into an additional building has been driven by increased demand for GMP services as well as continuous flow projects and solid state chemistry, which has fully utilized our resources over the past 12 months,” said Ms. Bowser.