Congratulations to Cobra Biologics on international trade award
Stoke-on-Trent and Staffordshire LEP chairman David Frost CBE has congratulated Keele biopharmaceutical firm Cobra Biologics on its success in the Sentinel Business Awards, which recognise achievement, innovation and success across all industries.
Cobra Biologics won the International Trade Award, sponsored by the LEP, for its outstanding achievement in international trade having achieved a record breaking order book for 2017, with 98% from customers outside of the UK.
David Frost commented: “This is just the kind of dynamic and innovative business at the cutting edge of science that we need to create highly skilled jobs and help our local economy to thrive.
“Our region has a strong track record in exporting across all industrial sectors, and we must continue to build on this foundation and encourage businesses to follow the example of Cobra Biologics and seize export opportunities.
“Developing international trade will be key to our future prosperity as we gear up for new global trade relations with Brexit approaching.”
Cobra’s facility, based at Keele Science and Innovation Park, has established a strong presence in the manufacture of gene therapy products, a rapidly growing sector of the biopharmaceutical market, which provides life-changing treatments. Cobra’s strength at Keele is its unique ability to manufacture both plasmid DNA and viral vectors for gene therapy products and in 2017 it announced a £15 million expansion plan which will increase capacity to help to meet customer demand and create up to 50 additional jobs.
Peter Coleman, chief executive of Cobra Biologics, said: “I am incredibly proud of what Cobra’s people have achieved; exporting 98% of our manufacturing services and helping to develop and manufacture drugs for the benefit of patients around the world. Our team has worked incredibly hard to get to where we are now and as a result we have a bright and promising future.”
Pictured, left to right, are Cobra Biologics Keele site manager Steve Garland, LEP chairman David Frost and Cobra Biologics chief executive Peter Coleman.
