The contract development and manufacturing organisation is moving away from cell and gene therapy to focus on biologics.
Rentschler Biopharma, a global contract development and manufacturing organisation for biopharmaceuticals, has said that it will close its operations in Stevenage as the firm increases its focus on biologics.
“Following a comprehensive strategic review, we are focusing our efforts on areas where we see the greatest demand and potential to create value sustainably. Biologics remain central to our operations, while we continue to evaluate other potential modalities,” said Benedikt von Braunmühl, chief executive of Rentschler Biopharma, in a statement.
The Stevenage plant – the group’s only British outpost – has specialised in cell and gene therapy. This is something, von Braunmühl said, which has “experienced slower-than-expected growth, with demand across the industry not meeting our expectations”.
The firm said that it will support the affected employees by providing resources and assistance.
It has been clear that the company has seen biologics as the future. Last year the firm made its largest single investment to date at its headquarters in Laupheim, to enhance production efficiency and upgrade the site capabilities. Earlier in the year, its new production line, in Milford, Massachusetts, became fully operational with four new 2,000 L single-use bioreactors.
