14th October 2011

NHSBT laboratories at the forefront of new developments

NHS Blood and Transplant’s (NHSBT) Advanced Therapy Unit in Liverpool has been granted a Manufacturers’ Authorisation for the production of cell and tissue-based Investigational Medicinal Products (IMP) for clinical trials.

This authorisation, granted by the Medicines and Healthcare Products Regulatory Authority (MHRA), opens the way for NHSBT to work with the regenerative medicine industry to take innovative cell and tissue therapies to the clinic. NHSBT’s specialist production facilities include 32 clean rooms, staffed by trained and experienced scientists.

Keith Smith, Lead Quality Specialist with NHSBT said: “This authorisation confirms that our practices and quality system meet the stringent requirements of current Good Manufacturing Practice for the manufacture and supply of cell-based medicinal products. This compliments NHSBT’s existing authorisations for gene therapy medicinal products manufacture”.

Professor John Kearney, Head of Tissue Services said: “Regenerative medicine research is moving rapidly to develop therapies that will regenerate, repair or replace damaged tissues or cells. NHSBT offers high quality translational development and production solutions to evolving regenerative medicine companies.”

NHSBT has already been contracted by Progenteq, ReNeuron and a number of other UK companies to provide services helping to move forward the provision of patient treatments. Talks are also underway with companies in Europe, Australia and the United States.

For additional information, 9:00 to 17:00, please contact NHSBT press office on 0117 969 2444 or pressoffice@nhsbt.nhs.uk For out of hours enquiries please call: 07659 133583.