A leading health sciences company has officially opened a new discovery centre dedicated to the advancement of medical research and drug development in Motherwell.
Ivan McKee MSP, Minister for Business, Trade, Tourism and Enterprise, attended the official opening and cut the ribbon before being given a tour of the new facility in the town’s Newhut Road, which is part of a major expansion by Antibody Analytics.
The company is one of Scotland’s top authorities on immunology and is set to provide a jobs boost in the area.
Antibody Analytics provides complex immunology and primary cell services to drug developers. The company has supported several key clinical projects leading to the acceleration of drug development in the field of cancer research and the support for treatment for diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis, wet macular degeneration, metastatic colorectal cancer and breast cancer.
The unveiling of the new Antibody Analytics Discovery Centre, funded in part with support from Scottish Enterprise, will act as the springboard for the company’s growth plans which include a recruitment campaign to increase staff capacity by almost 50 per cent this year.
The official opening of the new 2000 m2 facility also sits in line with the upward trajectory the field of advanced therapeutics is currently experiencing as more and more biotechnology and pharma-based drug developers seek the expertise of world-class immunology research services.
The company’s new discovery centre offers 10 times its existing footprint and is the culmination of two year’s work.
Andy Upsall, managing director of Antibody Analytics, said: “Our plans to enhance our provision of services in the discovery phase of drug development will be reinforced by the opening of our new base which will provide essential increased space for our ground-breaking work in the field of complex immunology and in the future, will allow us to support drug developers as they advance through clinical trials.
“Antibody Analytics is focused on providing a first-class service and to upholding a commitment to meet and exceed the requirements of our clients both in the UK and globally.
“The relocation to our larger, fit-for-purpose location puts us in a great position to drive innovation within the company to move forward.
“Our aim is to cement our position as a market leader in the field of complex immunology and primary cell systems.”
The company currently employs 60 staff ranging from laboratory personnel, within both operations and research and development departments, to quality, sales and marketing staff. The recruitment drive will continue beyond 2022, as the company intends to grow the head count to over 200 staff, all enabled by the space the new facility provides.
For more information on the company and its work visit: www.antibodyanalytics.com
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