GSK to host the Medicines Manufacturing Industry Partnership conference

GlaxoSmithKline (GSK) is set to open the doors of its site in Stevenage this week to host the Medicines Manufacturing Industry Partnership (MMIP) annual conference, taking place on Thursday 7 June.

The conference is aimed at bringing together global companies to showcase the successes and future innovation of the innovative medicines manufacturing sector, which is already worth £30 billion to the economy.

This year’s show — ‘Propelling growth: taking the next step in innovative medicines manufacturing’ — will feature presentations from companies, including GSK, AstraZeneca, Siemens and Benevolent AI, on how future developments in artificial intelligence, synthetic biology and digital manufacturing are all playing a role in innovation in manufacturing.

Guests of the conference will be able to see the high-tech facilities of the Cell & Gene Therapy Catapult Manufacturing centre in Stevenage, which was only opened a month ago. The government-funded site is designed to support the global gene therapy industry and is an important step in ensuring that the UK is positioned well to play an integral rol in advanced manufacturing.

“The UK already plays a leading role in the research and development of the medicines globally. As the advanced therapy manufacturing market continues to grow significantly, it’s the right time for the UK to show it can emerge as a global player in this area,” stated

Andy Evans, AstraZeneca and chair of MMIP. “With government and industry continuing to back the sector financially and with world-leading facilities we are set to see cutting edge, advanced manufacturing innovation capability — including those showcased at this year’s MMIP Conference — added to the UK’s already impressive academic and research and development eco-system.”

Special note — the digital lab of the future will not be available for tours to members of the press.