Dr Reddy's expands R&D centre in Cambridge

Dr Reddy's Laboratories has opened its newly expanded Chirotech Technology Centre, a purpose-built facility to house its laboratories and offices, at the Cambridge Science Park, UK.

“Being located in this historic university city and in one of the leading European centres for science and innovation makes it the ideal location to expand and develop our research, development and technology capabilities. The facility will be a centre of excellence for chemistry and reinforces our commitment to building a leading edge research organisation to meet the innovation needs of our customers,” GV Prasad, vice chairman and CEO of the company, said in a release.

Dr Reddy’s had acquired the Chirotech R&D facility from Dow Pharma along with its manufacturing facility in Mirfield, UK, in 2008 at $32 million. The additional capacity of 33,000 ft built at the centre helps to house more number of scientists and laboratory facilities. The company has already increased the number of scientists to 40 from the previous 30, according to a company spokesman.

The additional capacity will help facilitate an initial doubling of scientific staff in Chirotech while providing for further capacity additions in future, the company said. It is expected to strengthen core capabilities in biocatalysis and chemocatalysis, build capacities in fast growing segments and allow development of other areas of expertise in chemistry and processing for use in the pharmaceutical industry. The new facility is part of the custom pharmaceutical services business unit of Dr Reddy's and will offer these expanded services to its customers worldwide.