UK Biocentre is a respected leader in sample management, high-capacity bioprocessing & analysis, and automated storage.

With the capacity to store 35 million individual sample, it is the main processor for many of the UK’s government genetics projects, including the ambitious Our Future Health project which aims to collect and analyse the genetic samples of 5 million residents.

We sat down with Dr Tony Cox OBE a molecular biologist and CEO of UK Biocentre to discuss the centre’s pivotal role during the COVID-19 pandemic, and how they have returned to supporting ambitious biopharmaceutical projects.

“I’ve always been fascinated by DNA and the concept of information moving between generations. It blows my mind that something as simple but as complex could have arisen,” says Dr Cox. “We have a vibrant life science sector in the UK. It’s a fantastic place to be doing genetics."

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“The healthcare industry is responsible for 5% of global emissions, which is more than aviation,” says Robert Williams Director of Sustainable Procurement at AstraZeneca.

As Vice Chair of the Pharmaceutical Supply Chain Initiative (PSCI), he regularly engages with a wide cross-section of stakeholders from across the industry.

The PSCI is the leading association for pharmaceutical and healthcare companies, focused on driving an agenda for safety, environmental, and social outcomes across the global value chain.

The 81 members of the association, and the 1,000 registered suppliers, have a combined turnover of $1.3 trillion USD, representing approximately 80% of the global pharmaceutical industry (which is estimated to be $1.6 trillion USD).

Speaking to the PharmaSource podcast ahead of CDMO Live, Rob explains that working with suppliers is critical if the pharma industry is to realise its ESG and Net Zero ambitions.

“As more than 80% of PSCI member companies’ emissions are in the supply chain (97% in the case of AstraZeneca), the focus has to be on working closely with suppliers to achieve decarbonisation goals.”

“It’s clear that there is more that needs to be done globally, as we go beyond tier one and two suppliers, right back to the raw materials that we use,” he says.

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Founded in June 2020, INCOG has secured FDA-approval and now establishes itself as a new force in contract manufacturing with a focus on sterile injectables.

As we gear up for CDMO Live, we had the opportunity to speak with Corey Lewis, CEO, President, and Founder of INCOG Biopharma Services, about their dedicated approach to serving customers in the high-growth sterile injectable market.

Despite the company only being four years old, INCOG’s leadership team brings decades of industry experience. Cory says he has brought the ‘band back together’ by reuniting seasoned professionals to create a tier-one contract manufacturing organisation (CDMO).

“Our goal is to compete at the highest level, and that requires a seasoned executive team with a robust investment strategy.”

INCOG’s investments in vial, syringe, and cartridge filling capabilities are “just the beginning” says Lewis. “We’re also expanding into quality control, lab stability services, and eventually, auto-injector device assembly and final packaging. Our long-term site master plan outlines our ambition to not only enhance filling capacity, but also integrate additional business units to support commercial packaging and device assembly.”

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