UCB launches new Belgian biotechnology plant

UCB has announced the launch of a pilot biotechnology plant at its Braine-L'Alleud site in Belgium, representing an investment of more than 65 million euros (52.55 million pounds).

The state-of-the-art plant, which is currently undergoing a validation phase, will employ around 100 staff members and covers a surface area of 5,100 sq m, with facilities including four bioreactors and 800 sq m of laboratory space.

Once it becomes fully operational in 2013, it will allow the company to produce cell culture-based therapeutic proteins more effectively, thus accelerating the availability of new biotechnology drugs for severe diseases.

Manufacturing processes at the site will be designed and optimised to move from development to full-scale industrial production.

Roch Doliveux, chief executive officer of UCB, said: "With this bio pilot plant, we will more rapidly initiate clinical studies of new antibody-based therapeutics that are addressing serious unmet medical needs."

Last week, it was announced that UCB has hired communications agency Hanover to help expand and promote its brand in the important UK market.