Charles River Laboratories opens the doors in Alderley Park to its new cutting-edge cell and gene therapy manufacturing facility

Site will support therapeutic developers with rapid access to plasmid DNA, a critical starting material

Charles River Laboratories International, Inc. (NYSE: CRL) officially launched its brand new Cheshire site location in Alderley Park, where its purpose built High-Quality (HQ) plasmid manufacturing facility will provide welcomed support to the development of potentially transformative cell and gene therapies (C&GTs).

As scientific development moves at an ever growing speed, there’s a vital need for an increased supply of phase-appropriate plasmid DNA, a critical starting material to therapeutic developers to ensure that delays in clinical development are mitigated. Charles River offers three grades of plasmid DNA: research, HQ, and GMP, to transition seamlessly throughout your program development journey.

HQ plasmid is manufactured by Charles River to the principles of GMP, with the added benefit of an industry-leading 5+ week turnaround from initiation to release, reducing time to clinic.

Niall Dinwoodie, Executive Director, Gene Manufacturing Europe, Charles River: “The new 16,000 square foot facility expands our capabilities and will help fast-track the process of bringing therapies to market, address global supply shortages and support therapeutic developers through rapid access to material. As new gene therapies are launched around the world with the potential to change lives, our investment is a further vote of confidence in the future of this exciting and transformative industry here in the UK.”

UK C&GT Industry

The UK is a global leader in the C&GT space, with the largest cluster of therapeutic development companies outside the US. UK investment in ATMPs for human use totalled at £3.8bn, resulting in nine therapies reimbursed and reaching patients, and 38 therapies in Phase III of clinical development at the end of 2021. By 2035, the UK is expected to have a 15% share of C&GT global market activity, contributing £10bn in revenue and providing 18,000 jobs.

Matthew Durdy, CEO, Cell and Gene Therapy Catapult: “The funding and launch of the new Charles River facility represents a powerful and vital addition to the national manufacturing network and marks a huge step forward for the UK’s infrastructure needs. The rapid expansion of our manufacturing capabilities is fundamental both to meeting the growing global demand for ATMPs and developing the UK’s standing as a leading international hub for cell and gene therapy.

Overcoming key challenges to further open up local and international market opportunities remains crucial to the sector’s continued growth. Moreover, world class manufacturing technology and robust supply chain solutions become increasingly pivotal as the market evolves to target these life-changing therapies at high prevalence diseases. Capabilities such as those now established at Alderley Park are central to addressing these challenges and to ensuring that the UK continues to excel and be a global leader in cell and gene therapies.”

Cell and Gene Therapies

C&GTs utilise genetic material, or live cells, to treat or potentially cure a disease, and can allow for the creation of highly personalized therapies with approved products already on the market for indications such as multiple myeloma, retinal dystrophy, and Spinal Muscular Atrophy (SMA). Advanced Therapy Medicinal Products (ATMPs) are widely regarded as having the potential to change the way we manage difficult, life-changing conditions including various cancers and neurological diseases such as Parkinson’s and Alzheimer’s, also demonstrating their importance in the development of COVID-19 vaccines.

To learn more about the expansion of Charles River’s Alderley Park facility, click here.

About Charles River

Charles River provides essential products and services to help pharmaceutical and biotechnology companies, government agencies, and leading academic institutions around the globe accelerate their research and drug development efforts. Our dedicated employees are focused on providing clients with exactly what they need to improve and expedite the discovery, early-stage development, and safe manufacture of new therapies for the patients who need them. To learn more about our unique portfolio and breadth of services, visit: www.criver.com.