Upperton Pharma And Dame Sarah Gilbert Launch New GMP Manufacturing Hub In Nottingham

NOTTINGHAM, UK, 22 March 2024 – In a significant development for the pharmaceutical industry, Upperton Pharma Solutions, a leading UK-based contract development and manufacturing organisation (CDMO), celebrated the inauguration of its new 50,000 square foot development and Good Manufacturing Practice (GMP) manufacturing facility in Nottingham. The event was graced by Professor Dame Sarah Gilbert, the co-inventor of the Oxford/AstraZeneca COVID-19 vaccine, alongside biotech industry representatives and local dignitaries.

The ceremony featured the unveiling of a commemorative plaque by Professor Dame Sarah Gilbert, with Darren Henry MP and prominent industry figures in attendance. Nikki Whitfield, CEO of Upperton Pharma Solutions, expressed enthusiasm about the company's growth and its enhanced capability to offer comprehensive services from development to GMP manufacturing at a single location.

Professor Dame Sarah Gilbert highlighted the critical partnership between academia and industry during the pandemic and commended Upperton's expansion as pivotal for the UK's role in global health solutions. She also expressed eagerness for future collaborations with Upperton.

The new facility boasts ten GMP manufacturing suites, advanced quality control laboratories, and formulation development capabilities complete with a pilot plant. This setup enables Upperton to support clients through all stages of drug development, from early formulation to clinical trial supplies for Phase 1 to Phase 3, and niche scale commercial production.

This opening is part of Upperton's strategic expansion, which includes the construction of a new sterile facility on the same premises. This addition will specialize in the manufacturing of aseptic and terminally sterilized small volume liquids for parenteral, ocular, and pulmonary delivery. Completion of this state-of-the-art sterile facility is anticipated by the end of 2024.

The establishment of this new facility underscores Upperton Pharma Solutions' commitment to advancing pharmaceutical manufacturing capabilities within the UK. It positions the company as a key player in the global effort to meet health challenges through innovative drug development and manufacturing solutions.