Major Pharmaceutical Firm Accord Commits £45 Million to North Devon Manufacturing Hub
Accord, one of Europe's largest suppliers of medicines, has announced a significant £45 million investment in its Barnstaple site in North Devon. This funding, supported by Chancellor Rachel Reeves' Life Sciences Innovative Manufacturing Fund, aims to boost production of innovative treatments, including those for bipolar disorder, and strengthen the UK's pharmaceutical supply chain.
Securing UK Medicine Supply and Creating Jobs
The Barnstaple facility, which currently manufactures, tests, and distributes medicines accounting for nine percent of all NHS prescriptions, will see enhanced capabilities through this investment. According to government statements, this move will secure the manufacturing and supply of essential medicines within the UK, contributing to national health resilience.
Paul Tredwell, global chief executive of Accord, emphasized the strategic importance of this development. "The investment will enable the manufacture of two new innovative medicines, helping to secure the sustainability of the site and its broader contribution to UK health resilience," he stated.
Government Support and Broader Industry Impact
Science and Technology Secretary Liz Kendall highlighted the broader benefits of domestic medicine production. "By manufacturing more medicines in this country we can make sure more people get the vital treatments they need," she said. "We are delivering the advanced treatments that patients need, growing our economy, and creating and protecting highly skilled jobs for people across the UK."
This investment is part of a larger private sector funding package into UK life sciences, announced by the government, which totals over £80 million from three companies, including Accord. This brings the year's total investment in the sector to £600 million, with projections to reach £1 billion by summer through the fund.
Additional Investments in UK Life Sciences
The government's initiative also includes other significant projects:
- The University of Birmingham's Precision Health Technologies Accelerator will invest £10 million in a near-patient biomanufacturing plant.
- Manufacturer Codis is committing to a new facility in Haverhill, Suffolk, utilizing advanced spray-drying technology for next-generation therapies.
Dr. Zubir Ahmed, Health Innovation and Safety Minister, underscored the patient-centric focus of these investments. "I have seen first-hand the difference latest treatments can make to a patient's life. These investments mean more people living with conditions like bipolar disorder will benefit from cutting-edge medicines - developed and manufactured right here in Britain," he remarked.
This aligns with the Life Sciences Sector Plan and 10-Year Health Plan, aiming to attract global medical innovators to scale operations in the UK, thereby enhancing job creation and strengthening medical supply chains.
