Charles River boosts Alderley Science Park

Cell and gene therapy solution provider, Charles River (C.R.), is expanding its operations to Alderley Park and creating 50 new jobs.

The expansion will enable the company to increase its plasmid DNA capacity four-fold to meet the growing demand for cell and gene therapeutic developers from discovery to commercialisation.

Currently located at nine sites throughout the UK, including one at High Peak, C.R.’s new 17,000 sq ft high-specification lab space is currently under construction, with the business investing £7m in new equipment.

The expansion follows the company’s acquisition of Keele-based Cobra Biologics, a plasmid DNA and viral vector cell and gene therapy contract development and manufacturing organisation, in March 2021.

Charles River will create 50 jobs, from apprentices through to experienced scientists, as part of its latest growth plans.

Home to more than 250 companies, the Alderley Park community also includes the Cancer Research UK Manchester Institute as well as global cell therapy business Instil Bio, and precision medicine businesses Kinomica and Sutura Therapeutics, Medicines Discovery Catapult, Sygnature Discovery, Evotec and RedX Pharma