Intertek Expands Pharmaceutical Services Laboratory to Enhance Capabilities in Inhaled Biologics and Accelerate Drug Development
07 May 2025
Strengthening expertise in inhaled drug laboratory solutions
Melbourn, UK: 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.
Ross McCluskey, Executive Vice President, Europe, Middle East and Africa and Government and Trade Services, said: “This GMP lab expansion significantly enhances Intertek’s testing and analytical capabilities, enabling our clients developing novel inhaled biologics to accelerate their drug development timelines and ensure the highest standards of quality and efficacy in their products."
Ashleigh Wake, Intertek Pharmaceutical Services Director, UK, and Switzerland, added: "Our growing facility underscores our dedication to supporting innovation and the continuous development of safe and effective inhaled biologics. In partnership with our clients, we are helping to advance innovations in critical medicines that will reach patients in need worldwide."
For over 30 years, Intertek’s Melbourn facility has specialised in providing analytical, formulation and clinical manufacturing services for the development of inhaled and nasal drug products. Additionally, Intertek is proud to host the sector’s first dedicated forum for inhaled and nasal biologics, as well as DNA medicine development. The fourth edition of this conference is scheduled for 25-26 September 2025 in Cambridge, UK.Through integrated analytical and formulation support for the pharmaceutical, biotechnology and drug delivery industries, Intertek helps clients meet milestones for their challenging pharmaceutical development programmes through systemic, end-to-end Total Quality Assurance solutions.
Find out more about Inhalation Drug Product Development Services
Find out more about Intertek Pharmaceutical Services
For Media Information:
Please contact:
Lorna Kettle
ECA Marketing Director, Intertek Pharmaceutical Services
T: +44 (0) 116 296 1620
E: lorna.kettle@intertek.com
About Intertek Pharmaceutical Services
Intertek’s pharmaceutical services locations include Melbourn, Cambridge (UK), Manchester (UK), Basel (Switzerland), Whitehouse, (New Jersey, USA), Mumbai (India) and Melbourne, (Australia).
About Intertek
Intertek is a leading Total Quality Assurance provider to industries worldwide.
Our network of more than 1,000 laboratories and offices in more than 100 countries, delivers innovative and bespoke Assurance, Testing, Inspection and Certification solutions for our customers' operations and supply chains.
Intertek is a purpose-led company to Bring Quality, Safety and Sustainability to Life. We provide 24/7 mission-critical quality assurance solutions to our clients to ensure that they can operate with well-functioning supply chains in each of their operations.
Our Customer Promise is: Intertek Total Quality Assurance expertise, delivered consistently, with precision, pace and passion, enabling our customers to power ahead safely.
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