Tilbury Douglas breaks ground on state-of-the-art Oligonucleotide Manufacturing Centre

Supported jointly by the UK Government and the Scottish Government, this state-of-the-art facility will advance oligonucleotide manufacturing to meet the growing global demand for these vital therapeutics. Attendees included Lord Vallance, Minister of Science, Research and Innovation, John Swinney, First Minister of Scotland, and esteemed guests from industry and academia. They explored the significant impact this facility will have on pharmaceutical innovation, sustainability, and patient outcomes.

OMICE will manage two solid-phase phosphonamidite manufacturing programmes simultaneously, each in its dedicated processing area. The facility will also feature areas for reagent preparation, synthesis, and post-synthesis manufacturing, creating a fully integrated environment for cutting-edge scientific innovation. Additional features include a process development lab, three ventilated tech bays, raw material and product staging areas, secure personnel facilities, and external solvent and waste handling capabilities.

Sustainability is at the heart of OMICE’s design, addressing energy efficiency, water conservation, and the use of sustainably sourced materials. The facility will incorporate renewable technologies such as advanced heat pumps, enhanced insulation, and rooftop photovoltaic panels. The project targets a BREEAM ‘Excellent’ rating, demonstrating Tilbury Douglas’ commitment to sustainable construction.

Enabling works, including drainage diversions, ground improvement, and the installation of a piling working platform, are already underway. Main construction will begin in April 2025, with the project scheduled for completion in early 2026.

This is the second major project Tilbury Douglas has undertaken for CPI, following the successful delivery of the Medicines Manufacturing Innovation Centre (MMIC). Guests also toured the MMIC to learn how it is transforming manufacturing in collaboration with partners such as AstraZeneca, GSK, and The University of Strathclyde.