More than £30 million is to be spent on expanding Croda International’s manufacturing facilities for a vital vaccine ingredient.
The East Yorkshire giant is set to significantly enhance its facilities in Leek, Staffordshire, where specific production is based, expanding the range and capacity.
It will also provide a base for future work in cancer and heart disease. Government is supporting the huge investment, with match-funding of £15.9 million.
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The expansion will include building a state-of-the-art lipid system synthesis facility and enhancing innovation and analytical laboratory capabilities. New jobs are "likely" but figures have not yet been worked through.
The site specialises in the production of lipids, that are currently used in a number of Covid-19 mRNA vaccines, as well as other Croda health care technologies such as speciality excipients.
Daniele Piergentili, president of Croda Life Sciences, said: "We are grateful to the UK Government for its support for this important project. It shares our belief that lipid systems offer significant potential for the safe and efficient delivery of next generation vaccines and therapeutic drugs.
"This investment will meaningfully enhance our lipid system capability and manufacturing capacity, ensuring that Croda plays a central role in both the development and future supply of this important delivery technology."
Lipids help carry the active ingredient into the body. Croda won a major contract with Pfizer as vaccine development came to the fore in late 2020.
The FTSE-100 listed company that uses smart science to create high performance ingredients and solutions that improve lives, and it comes just weeks after record results were revealed.
It said the company’s commitment was included within the existing capital expenditure programme outlined in the recent annual results.
Business Secretary Kwasi Kwarteng said: “The development of mRNA technology for use in vaccines and essential treatments has been one of the greatest scientific leaps forward since the start of the pandemic, and the potential for its use in future therapies - potentially treating cancer and heart disease - is remarkable.
"I am therefore extremely pleased to announce this support for Croda, a market leader in the manufacture of essential mRNA components, and the only manufacturer of lipids currently operating in the UK."
