A new £38 million National Biologics Manufacturing Centre will be built in within the Tees Valley Enterprise Zone.

The centre, being funded through investment announced as part of the life sciences strategy, will be a national base for the manufacturing of biological medicines such as antibodies and vaccines.

Tees Valley Unlimited worked with local partners to secure the contract for the development. Managing Director, Stephen Catchpole said: “This is a very exciting project for the biomedical industry and we are delighted to welcome it to Tees Valley – it is yet another significant announcement both for the Enterprise Zone and for Darlington and reaffirms our position in the healthcare sector.”

Universities and Science Minister David Willets said: “The new National Biologics Manufacturing Centre will significantly increase the UK’s manufacturing capability in biologics, keeping us ahead of the game in the global race and strengthening the UK’s position as the location for choice for life sciences companies.”

Leader of Darlington Council Cllr Bill Dixon added: “[This] brings with it hundreds, if not thousands, of jobs in the future, as Central Park becomes a hub for this kind of pharmaceutical manufacturing.”