3M Drug Delivery Systems (DDS) is to relocate its UK R&D organisation to the DDS R&D Inhalation Centre of Excellence on Charnwood Campus in Loughborough, with the building to officially open this month.
Charnwood Campus is the first and only officially designated Life Sciences Opportunity Zone (LSOZ) in the United Kingdom. The purpose of the LSOZ designation is to bring together science and technology-based organisations to build a community of like-minded expertise and knowledge sharing.
Kevin Harris, chair of Leicester and Leicestershire Enterprise Partnership said: “I’m delighted that 3M’s Drug Delivery Systems Division has moved its research and development lab to Charnwood Campus. 3M’s work in the field of life sciences, producing pharmaceuticals and cutting-edge med tech, makes it one of the most innovative enterprises in Leicester and Leicestershire. I’m particularly pleased that 3M is able to take advantage of Charnwood Campus’ dual designation as both an Enterprise Zone and the UK’s first Life Sciences Opportunity Zone. LSOZ status means greater collaboration between academia and industry, to drive forward the life-saving discoveries of tomorrow.”
The new R&D site covers more than 1,300 square meters of specifically-configured laboratory space for the development of inhalation therapies to treat diseases like asthma and COPD. The relocation was a two-year process that involved the complete overhaul and modernization of a long-dormant property.
Silvia Perez, 3M DDS, president and general manager said: “This move is very exciting because most of our incredible UK-based R&D team will now be working together closer than before, to pursue groundbreaking innovations in the field of drug delivery technology. “Improved collaboration, networking and interaction between the business and R&D functions is beneficial to reaching our goals.”