Keele based Cobra Biologics has announced a £15 million investment requiring a further 50 staff. The company globally employs 250 staff of which 85 are currently based at their Keele University Science and Innovation Park facility.
CEO Peter Coleman said: “Over the last few years we’ve seen a massive boom in organisations turning their attentions to gene therapy.
“There’s a lot of hype around it and we’re seeing that there is a tremendous rush by our customers to get products on the market – so there’s a massive demand for our services.
“At the Keele site, we have seen demand grow significantly – in terms of order numbers and revenue – by more than eight times in just the last two or three years.
“We are one of just a handful of companies in the world doing what we do and we have a good reputation as a trusted company.”
Mr. Coleman further commented: “We have been doing this for more than 20 years so this investment will help us to stay at the forefront of this exciting field. We are committed to investing for both present day needs and for the future at this extraordinary time in the history of gene therapy, when so many new and potentially life-changing medicines are in the pipeline.”
International Trade Minister Greg Hands welcomed the news. He said: “This new investment by Cobra Biologics is another boost for UK life sciences, creating high-skilled jobs in Keele as the company expands its operations.
“It comes as global demand for gene therapy manufacturing is surging, helping to put the UK at the forefront of developing revolutionary disease therapies and new treatments to be exported around the world.”