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The Rt. Hon. Baroness Symons of Vernham DeanLundbeck's New Pharmaceutical Unit Opening |
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Ladies and gentlemen it gives me great pleasure to be able to be with you today at the opening of this impressive new facility. It is indeed a great day for the company as your President and CEO has said; but also for the region. I am delighted to be at this opening at a time when British Trade International is doing a great deal to encourage greater collaboration between UK & Danish companies in the biotechnology and pharmaceutical sectors. Only two weeks ago, Copenhagen was host to Bio-Scandinavia 2002, and thanks to British Trade International, the UK had for the first time a major presence. We were able to offer assistance and support to 15 leading UK Biotech industry companies at BioScandinavia. This enabled them to be introduced to the Danish market and the impressive Medicon Valley biocluster. In addition the visit gave us an ideal opportunity, with the very helpful involvement of Lundbeck, to showcase the UK as Europe's leading investment location to key biotechnology companies in Denmark and other Nordic countries. This investment demonstrates the attractiveness of the North East as a home for pharmaceutical and chemical companies. Both industries represent major sources of income for the North East region. Significantly, it is yet a further boost to One NorthEast's 'Strategy for Success'.This is a key economic initiative to maximise the Region's research, technology and skills base in the process industries and life sciences. It builds on the North East's existing strengths and will further develop the business infrastructure to enable Lundbeck, and other internationally renowned companies in the Region to flourish. I was delighted to hear what Lundbeck's President and CEO had to say about the quality of the skills base in the region and the efficiency of the local authorities in helping to establish the plant. The Government recognises Lundbeck's significant contribution to the North East, and indeed the UK pharmaceuticals base at large. The UK-based pharmaceutical industry is a dynamic, open, knowledge-driven sector, which is underpinned by its world-class science base and universities of international renown. The UK's record in bringing to market innovative drugs is second only to that of the United States. The UK has produced 72 UK Nobel prizewinners in science since 1901. Some have come from local universities such as Durham and Newcastle. The UK-based pharmaceutical industry employs 70,000 directly and a further 250,000 in related industries. It is the biggest industrial investor in R&D, accounting for nearly 40% of the UK total, some 3.1 billion pounds in 2001. The UK based industry is also a leader in Corporate Social Responsibilty. Yesterday the Prime Minister launched a report on how to get cheaper drugs to fight diseases such as HIV/AIDS, TB and Malaria to poor countries in Africa. This report was produced in partnership with the UK industy. We very much welcome this collaborative approach. And In the UK's thriving Biotech sector, there are currently over 400 companies with R and D, spending 850 million pounds. UK-based companies, in fact, account for over 60% of late stage clinical trials in the EU - across the spectrum of key disease areas. Many, like Lundbeck, are also focussed on research into diseases of the Central Nervous System. This UK research, and that in related and exciting new areas such as stem cells, offer many opportunities to enhance UK-Danish collaboration. The UK is also home to large-scale foreign investment; including of course, from Scandinavia! I am delighted that Lundbeck have chosen the UK as the base for this expansion. This is despite fiercely increasing international competition for pharmaceutical investment, both in manufacturing and R and D. Teesside's chemicals industry is renowned worldwide; and its pharmaceuticals base continues to grow. They are important components in the North-East's life science cluster. We have heard about the quality of the skills base available; of the appropriate infrastructure that this region offers to Lundbeck's operation here; but for business to thrive, they also need good leadership. And Lundbeck have come with a real vision for the future of the company worldwide, and here in the North East of England. The Secretary of State for Trade and Industry, Patricia Hewitt, is a leading advocate of the UK's manufacturing sector, and its role in underpinning the fundamentals of a strong economy. Manufacturing in the United Kingdom accounts for approximately 20 per cent of GDP, and employs around 4 million people. Over 60% of our exports are manufactured goods. Looking at the Seal Sands complex, I am impressed by the high-tech nature of the new unit; the underpinning technologies and processes. Your commitment to Teesside has been well rewarded in the hard work and coordination that has delivered this project in such a short time. I should also mention the impressive collaboration with the technical construction services of Foster Wheeler which made the completion of this facility possible in record time. This project emphasises the knowledge-driven nature of pharmaceutical manufacturing in the UK; a characteristic, which is often overlooked. By choosing to upgrade and expand your existing production capability, you have clearly looked long term. An endorsement of the UK as a base for manufacturing and business excellence. I wish Lundbeck every success with this new venture, and your continued success in the UK. |
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Other speeches by The Rt. Hon. Baroness Symons of Vernham Dean
(the following are available from the archive) |
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