Plans to build a £58m “world-leading” science facility on the outskirts of Bristol have been approved.
Wiltshire-based pharmaceuticals firm Vectura, which specialises in respiratory medicines and inhaler devices, has been given the go-ahead by South Gloucestershire Council for a new 10,000 m sq facility based at Bristol & Bath Science Park.
Vectura said its “Inhalation Centre of Excellence” in Emersons Green, which is anticipated to be completed in 2025, would expand its operations and provide new research and development jobs for scientists and engineers, as well as in manufacturing and laboratory services.
Chief executive Michael Austwick said: “For nearly 25 years, Vectura has been providing a combination of formulation science, device technology and pharmaceutical development expertise, helping our partners and licensees develop products which are used by 10 million patients worldwide.
“This new facility will help us to build on this successful track record, increasing workspace capacity and attracting talent to the area.”
The company said the facility would look to achieve an ‘Excellent’ rating with sustainability assessors BREEAM.
Cllr Ben Burton, cabinet member responsible for corporate resources at South Gloucestershire Council, added: “This new research and development facility will bring additional high-tech employment opportunities to our area and I’m pleased to see that Vectura’s plans for the new building include a number of environmental and sustainability considerations.”
Founded in 1997 as a spin-out from the University of Bath, former FTSE-250 firm Vectura employs around 450 people across four locations, including at its headquarters in Chippenham, Cambridge Science Park, London and Basel in Switzerland.
The company, which reported revenue of £190.6m in 2020, was acquired by multinational tobacco firm Philip Morris International last year in a $1bn deal.
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