Intertek Expands to Enhance Capabilities in Inhaled Biologics Drug Development

Intertek, a leading Total Quality Assurance provider to industries worldwide, is expanding its Good Manufacturing Practice (GMP) pharmaceutical services laboratory in Melbourn, near Cambridge, UK.

By adding 6,000 square feet of purpose-built laboratory and office space, increasing the total footprint to 46,000 square feet, the expanded laboratory will enhance Intertek’s capabilities for inhaled biologics, addressing rising global client demand.

Inhaled or nasal routes of administration provide an effective method for delivery of biologics, mRNA, nucleotide-based therapeutics and vaccines to treat respiratory diseases, allowing targeted delivery to the lungs while potentially reducing the amount of active ingredient needed. However, developers of these drugs face challenges in ensuring product performance and manufacturability, as well as navigating their regulatory and commercial aspects.

To address those challenges, the expanded laboratory in Melbourn will feature advanced mass spectrometry (MS), including high-resolution MS, with room for new technologies to complement the characterisation of large molecules. Additionally, the new space will offer a particle characterisation laboratory focused on supporting the development of small and large molecule inhaled and nasal drugs.

New bioassay and cell culture units will bring additional capabilities for cell-based potency assays, handling hazardous biological materials and viral analytical work, strengthening similar capabilities in Intertek’s laboratory in Manchester, UK.