Celltech Manufacturing Services validating its new sterile area

Pharmaceutical contract manufacturer Celltech Manufacturing Services (CMS) has begun validation of its new sterile area after the e8m facility was handed back to production on time and within budget. The area is expected to go into production during December 2004.

The company recently became part of UCB, of Belgium, which is now the fifth largest biopharmaceutical group in the world. Michael Lurquin, UCB's global operations director, recently visited the site at Ashton-under-Lyne. 'Mr Lurquin's visit was extremely important to us as he represents our new parent company. He toured all areas of the site and met many of our staff,' said site director Bob Morgan. 'We are delighted with the new facility and immensely proud, having stuck exactly to our original plans that were conceived two years ago. To have completed such a mammoth project, which will increase our capacity by 30%, on time and within budget is a tremendous achievement.'