Sandoz Device Development Centre opens on Cambridge Science Park
The Sandoz Device Development Centre (SDDC) in Cambridge has been opened by Richard Saynor, chief executive of Sandoz.
The company’s new facility on Cambridge Science Park features purpose-built laboratories and cutting-edge technology “to advance medical device combination products and successfully deliver on our pipeline”.
The Swiss company, headquartered in Basel, is the world’s largest generic and biosimilar company (a biosimilar being a biological medicine that is very similar to another biological medicine that has already been approved for use).
Sandoz’s involvement in Cambridge took shape in 2022 when it acquired Cambridge-based drug delivery device business Coalesce Product Development. The opening of the new facility this week marks an exciting growth phase for the Cambridge team, which has increased headcount by 50 per cent in 2024, with significant further recruitment planned for 2025.
The new centre on Cambridge Science Park will develop devices for drug-device combination product medicines including pen injectors, autoinjectors, on-body devices, inhalers, nasal and ophthalmic sprays.
Joining Sandoz chief executive Richard Saynor at the opening ceremony were Baroness Merron, health minister responsible for life sciences and innovation, and Claire D’Abreu-Hayling, Sandoz’s chief scientific officer.
“Sandoz’s expansion is a vote of confidence in the UK’s world-leading life sciences sector, boosting economic growth, delivering a raft of new, affordable treatments and improving the resilience of our supply chains,” said Baroness Merron.
Head of the Sandoz Device Development Centre, Dave Ahern, said: “The opening of the new facility marks the next exciting step in our journey to build a world-class medical device and drug-device combination development organisation.
“With more than 60 device-enabled medicines in development, Sandoz offers a unique opportunity for engineers, scientists, and project managers to work on a diverse range of technologies. With so much local expertise and talent, Cambridge is the ideal location for us.”
Cambridge Science Park director Jane Hutchins said: “We are delighted to welcome Sandoz to our vibrant community of innovative R&D companies.
“Not only will their presence add to the thriving life science and pharmaceutical portfolio on the Science Park, but their corporate values align closely with our own vision, especially around equity of access."
