Inward Investment & Business Support
Highly developed scientific and engineering skills have attracted and retained global pharmaceutical and biologics manufacturing companies
North East England has a thriving pharmaceuticals sector that is supported by a wider, world-renowned life sciences offer.
North East England has capability in the pharmaceutical value chain in small molecules, devices and biologics. This includes pre-clinical drug discovery and development, clinical research and development, clinical trial management, pilot-scale manufacturing, full-scale pharmaceutical ingredient and intermediate manufacturing, as well as final product formulation, packaging and distribution.
Learn More
North East Cluster
Exceptional facilities and workforce
The North East has a highly skilled talent pool, with nearly 9,500 people currently employed in life sciences and pharmaceuticals with a further 110,000 in the wider manufacturing sector.
Images credit – Sterling Pharma Solutions / Onyx Scientific
The region is renowned for having a skilled manufacturing workforce. Global companies are able to recruit experienced and skilled staff in order to carry out their operations and expand in the region.
Labour and operating costs are also a big attraction to investors. The North East offers highly competitive salary costs for advanced manufacturing jobs making the cost of doing business attractive to companies.
The region’s talent pool is strengthened by a wealth of students specialising in STEM and engineering subjects primed for the workplace. The region has 54,000 students studying a Science, Technology, Engineering, Mathematics (STEM) related subject across the region’s five universities.
The region’s talent pool is strengthened by a wealth of students specialising in STEM and engineering subjects primed for the workplace. The region has 54,000 students studying a Science, Technology, Engineering, Mathematics (STEM) related subject across the region’s five universities.
The North East’s five universities offer over 125 undergraduate and postgraduate courses related to the life sciences sector.
This is an outstanding ecosystem for pharmaceutical companies. Everything needed to support life sciences and pharmaceutical activities is based in the region – from initial research, product development and testing to clinical trials and production facilities. We are a thriving hub of R&D excellence and experts in clinical trials, pharmaceutical manufacturing, precision medicine, and ageing and health.
We are a one-stop-shop of life sciences and pharmaceutical expertise.
Learn more about expanding your business in the North East life sciences sector at investnortheastengland.co.uk
Visit Website
Physical infrastructure
Pharmaceutical production in the region is strong, with a significant portion of products exported internationally.
North East England has an excellent transport network and a unique landscape that make it the ideal place to both live and work. The region is extremely well-connected by excellent rail, road, air and port networks that offer great export potential to the pharmaceutical manufacturing sector. Specialist pharmaceutical shipments flights are also available from Newcastle International Airport, ensuring products can be exported across the globe.
The region served by Newcastle International airport, three ports, and fantastic rail and road networks. You can be in London, Paris or Amsterdam in around an hour by air, or reach the capital in under three hours by train. The region also has a daily flight to Dubai, connecting us to the Middle and Far East.
Newcastle International Airport facilitates pharmaceutical shipments across the globe – a valuable asset in the regions supply chain to offer end to end services for the life sciences sector. It is recognised for its secure and efficient handling of pharmaceutical products. With its 24/7 operations, fast processing times and close proximity to major pharmaceutical manufacturing and R&D sites, the Airport and its partners transport temperature‑sensitive and time‑critical medicines safely, reliably and on schedule. The Airport’s cargo operations are continuing to grow and through its long‑standing partnerships with regional pharmaceutical manufacturers, handling agents and airline partners, the Airport has established itself as a trusted and important gateway for the pharmaceutical sector.
Newcastle Airport Website (Cargo)
The region’s manufacturing sites and industrial estates are located close to major highways, including the A1M and A19 strategic routes to the north and south. This provides pharmaceutical manufacturers the opportunity to serve the UK market as well as overseas.
Workers can enjoy low commute times and some of the least congested roads in the UK. We are also home to the Tyne and Wear Metro, the UK’s largest rapid transport system outside of London, whose 60 stations provide speedy access to Newcastle, Gateshead and Sunderland and to our beautiful coastline.
View the North East England inward investment web site.
Explore
Discover
Supporting the North East pharmaceutical sector businesses and manufacturers to grow their employment, skills, investment, exports and supply chains through business-led collaboration.