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Two New QPs Join The Biotec Team
11th August 2008
Biotec Services International Limited expands its team of registered Qualified Persons to help meet demand for its pharmaceutical services.
The decision to employ Alan Smith and Ken Caldicott as consultants follows the rapid and continual growth of the company over the past few years and expands the QP team from three to five.
Recent expansions into the USA, Canada and Israel have seen the demand for Biotec’s services increasing rapidly and with that the need for the expertise of more Qualified Persons.
The first new Qualified Person to join the Biotec team is Dr. Ken Caldicott, a chartered chemist and Fellow of the Royal Society of Chemistry. Ken is highly regarded in the pharmaceutical sector, having gained over 35 years industry experience. He previously spent 20 years with Parke-Davis Research, a division of Warner-Lambert, where he managed the analytical chemistry department and later took on responsibility for Quality Assurance. Ken then moved to Penn Pharmaceuticals where he worked for 13 years in a number of roles, including Chief Scientific Officer. Dr Caldicott now operates his own consultancy business providing QP and CMC regulatory and strategy advice to many international clients including Japan and the US and can offer Biotec’s clients advice on CMC strategy for clinical trials supplies.
The second QP to join the company is Alan Smith, a chartered chemist and Qualified Person with extensive quality and business experience within the pharmaceutical industry both in the UK and internationally. Alan has worked for The Wellcome Foundation, Glaxo Welcome, Glaxo Smith Kline, Aventis and his own company QED-QED ltd, in which he is director and consultant.
During Alan’s 20 years of experience he has initiated a new cytotoxic production facility resulting in successful MCA and FDA inspections, he has project managed the transfer of key products to external manufacturers including the Third World and he has established a quality and compliance index that led to a significant improvement in inspection readiness status in one year.
Marc Weinzweig, MD of Biotec commented “Biotec will greatly benefit from both Alan and Ken’s extensive and impressive knowledge and experience and we are very pleased to have them both as part of the team”.
In addition to the appointment of two Qualified Persons to the team at Biotec, Sarah Coram also joins as Operations Manager, a position recently created as a result of the increased volume of clinical trials being handled at Biotec and Jeremy Martin moves to the newly created role of Planning Manager in order to plan and schedule the import, labelling, assembly and logistics operations.
Marc Weinzweig comments, “The expansion of our QP team and the newly created position of Operations Manager and Planning Manager for Sarah and Jeremy marks a significant move for Biotec. The company is growing rapidly with the demand for our clinical trial services. We are currently running in excess of 80 clinical trials for our clients, but with Alan, Ken, Sarah and Jeremy onboard and our new state of the art facilities we will be able to take on a great deal more”.
“I have ambitious plans to make Biotec one of the largest pharmaceutical out-sourcing companies specialising in temperature sensitive pharmaceutical drug trials in Europe”.
Biotec Services International Limited was established in 1997 and works on behalf of global pharmaceutical companies, many located outside the EU, looking to conduct clinical trials and to market products in Europe.
New look for Biotec Services International
23rd July 2008
Bridgend venture Biotec Services International Ltd proudly unveiled its impressive new custom-built £1.5 million facility this month to coincide with the launch of the company’s new name.
Biotec Distribution Wales has changed its name to Biotec Services International Ltd to reflect its continued growth of clients internationally, particularly in the USA, Canada, Israel and Japan. The name change comes at an important time for the business as the new premises is expected to help the company to reach new heights in the pharmaceutical out-sourcing sector.
Managing Director, Marc Weinzweig said, “We are very proud of our new bespoke facility. With rapid expansion over the past decade we had outgrown our original premises and required somewhere with more space that could enable us to achieve our continued plans for growth.”
“Currently we are running in excess of 80 drug trials for our clients but with new facilities we will be able to undertake a great deal more. With additional space to assemble,store and transport the temperature sensitive pharmaceutical products we are ambitious about becoming one of the largest pharmaceutical out-sourcing companies specialising in temperature sensitive pharmaceutical drug trials in Europe.”
He added: “Not only has the new facility been a huge benefit to the company as a whole, it has also enabled Biotec to employ 25 new staff members and with our continued plans for growth we will be expecting to employ more in the near future”.
Biotec Services International Limited was established in 1997 and works on behalf of global pharmaceutical companies, many located outside the EU, looking to conduct clinical trials and market products in Europe.
200 Miles, 3 Days, 4 Cyclists, and 1 Charity
2nd July 2008
Mine fields, armoured trucks and countless punctures didn’t stop a team of keen cyclists complete a 200mile bike ride across Israel to raise over £2000 for charity this summer.
The riders all from Biotec Services International Ltd were challenged by their MD, Marc Weinzweig to take up the cycle ride with a difference which would involve flying out to Israel to cycle 200 miles from the Lebanese border to Tel Aviv in just three days to raise money for the Noah’s Ark Appeal.
Combining work with pleasure, the riders finished the trip in Tel Aviv for the opening of Biomed 2008 – Israel’s largest pharmaceutical conference.
Mr Weinzweig was joined by Matthew Lakelin, Business Development Manager for Biotec, Alan Smith, QP consultant to Biotec and Angharad Mason, Physiotherapist and Marathon runner.
Matthew Lakelin said: “I thoroughly enjoyed the trip and although at times it was extremely physically challenging, it was an experience of a lifetime that I am proud to say I was part of it. The trip was fraught with obstacles along the way but we managed to overcome them and all had a lot of fun. I think given the chance, I would do it again”.
Derek Morgan, Vice President of Noah’s Ark appeal accepted the money from Biotec and said: “We are extremely grateful for the money that Marc, Matthew, Alan and Angharad have raised for The Noah’s Ark Appeal. It will make an incredible difference to the lives of many children who are currently ill and they should all be very proud of their achievement.”
Biotec Services International Limited is a UK based clinical trials supply company specialising in the import, qualified person certification, labelling, assembly, storage and worldwide distribution of clinical trials supplies, including temperature sensitive biopharmaceuticals. The Israel market accounts for 25% of Biotec’s export business.
Biotec has recently moved to its new purpose built premises in Bridgend to cater for the companies rapidly growing business. The company has recently employed more than 10 new members of staff since moving to the new building and has clients in USA, Israel, Canada and Japan as well as across Europe.
Drugs Trials Company Looks Cool in New £1.5m Facility
13th June 2008
A specialist company which facilitates temperature-sensitive pharmaceutical drugs trials has officially opened a new £1.5m state-of-the-art “chill cabinet” facility in South Wales and announced the creation of 25 new jobs.
Biotec Distribution Wales Limited’s new premises on the Bridgend Industrial Estate houses all it needs for its highly specialist niche market business of managing the Qualified Person certification, import, labelling and assembly, storage and worldwide distribution of temperature-sensitive drugs for clinical trials.
The company was established in 1997 and works on behalf of global pharmaceutical companies, many located outside the EU, which want to get their products into clinical trials in Europe with the aim of eventually marketing them.
To do this as non-EU manufacturers, they are required to have their processes audited and their products certified by a Qualified Person in the EU and by companies licensed to carry out these activities. As one such company, Biotec specialises in drugs which need to be packed, stored and transported at particularly low temperatures – in some cases as cold as -80 degrees centigrade.
With a growing client base in Canada and Japan, but in particular in the USA and Israel, Biotec had outgrown its original premises on the Brynmenyn Industrial Estate in Bridgend, and made the move to the new bespoke building with funding from bank facilities, a loan from Finance Wales, and the management team’s own investment.
The package also included a £340,000 Regional Selective Assistance grant from the Welsh Assembly Government negotiated by professional advisors Broomfield & Alexander, who continue to help the company with business planning and accountancy services.
Biotec managing director Marc Weinzweig said the new building would enable the company to achieve its growth plans.
“At the moment, we are running in excess of 80 drug trials for our clients, and with our new operation here in Bridgend, are geared up to undertake many more,” he said. “With 80 per cent of our growth from client recommendation, we are very confident that this investment will pay off.
“With a building of this quality, designed to do exactly what we need, we have somewhere we can be proud of when we bring our clients to see us.”
Ravi Nalliah of Broomfield & Alexander worked closely with Marc and his team to build the original case for public and private sector investment.
“It’s very gratifying to see the results of putting all the forecasts and financial plans together in the shape of this high-tech facility which Biotec has been able to build to its exact requirements,” he said.
“It gives them the environment they need to develop the business still further, and we wish them every success, and look forward to working with them as they go through that process of development.”
Biotec Sponsor the Carten 100 Cycle Ride in aid of the Ty Hafan Children’s Hospice in Wales.
16th April 2008
Biotec will be taking part in the annual 100 mile bicycle ride from Tenby to Cardiff in aid of Ty Hafan, the Children’s Hospice in Wales.
Ty Hafan is a very special purpose built Children’s Hospice, located in Sully, west of Cardiff. Opened in January 1999, it provides help and support for over 300 Welsh families where one or more of the children are suffering from a life-limiting illness.
The service that Ty Hafan provides is completely free of charge to the families. With operating costs of over £2.5 million annually, Ty Hafan really need our help. Further information can be found at the Ty Hafan web site.
Christmas and New Year Shut Down 2008-2009
In celebration of the festive season, Biotec will be close at 2pm on Wednesday 24th December 2008 and re-open at 9am on Monday 5th January 2009.
Biotec Organise Charity Cycle Ride in Israel
2nd April 2008
Employees and associates of Biotec Distribution will be undertaking a sponsored cycle ride in Israel at the end of May.
Matthew Lakelin, Business Development Manager explains ‘We will be riding approximately 300 Km (190 miles) in three days to raise money for the Children’s Hospital for Wales (Noah’s Ark Appeal). The appeal is focussing on raising funds to equip a new paediatric critical care unit and to purchase an MRI scanner.
The ride will begin in the North of the country at the Israeli Lebanese border and take us around the Sea of Galilee on the first day. On the second day of the ride we will then travel West through Nazareth to Acre on the East coast. The final day will involve a ride along the West coast to Tel Aviv where Biotec will be exhibiting at Biomed Israel, Israel’s largest pharmaceutical conference. Further information about the Biomed Israel conference can be found at the Kenes web site.
If your company would be interested in sponsoring the cycle ride, please send Matthew an electronic copy of your company logo. We intend to display these throughout the ride on tee-shirts and at the Biomed Israel event as a sign of our gratitude. All money raised will go to the Children’s Hospital for Wales, the cyclists will be funding their own travel and accommodation expenses.
If you have any questions about the ride (it is not too late to join us!) or the charity please contact Matthew by e-mail at enquiries@biotec-uk.com
Update on Move to Biotec’s New Facility
April 2nd 2008
Biotec are moving to it’s new purpose built facility between 6th – 16th May.
As of 6th May, our new address will be:
Biotec House,
Central Park,
Western Avenue,
Bridgend Industrial Estate,
Bridgend,
CF31 3TY
UK
Our current telephone and fax numbers will be retained until the end of May. The new numbers will be displayed on the Company web site and will be communicated to all clients, suppliers and contacts during early May.
Specialist Drug Trials Company makes cool £1.5m investment
September 2007
A South Wales company which has developed a highly specialist niche market managing the certification, import and supply of temperature-sensitive drugs for trials in the UK is making a cool £1.5m investment in a new state-of-the-art facility in Bridgend.
Biotec Distribution Wales Limited is to create 27 new jobs in a purpose-built unit which will open on Bridgend Industrial Estate in April 2008.
The investment is being funded from bank facilities, a loan from Finance Wales, and the management team’s own investment.
The package also includes a £340,000 Regional Selective Assistance grant from the Welsh Assembly Government negotiated by professional advisors Broomfield & Alexander, who also helped the company with business planning and forecasts, and have been retained by Biotec to take them through the growth phase.
Deputy First Minister Ieuan Wyn Jones said: “I’m delighted that the Assembly Government was able to assist this very specialised and successful company to grow and to create more skilled jobs in an important sector.”
The company was established in 1997 and works on behalf of drug manufacturing companies in the USA, Canada, Israel and Japan which want to get their products into clinical trials in Europe, with the aim of eventually marketing them.
To do this as non-EU manufacturers, they are required to have their processes audited and their products certified by qualified individuals in the EU and by companies licensed to carry out these activities.
Biotec managing director Marc Weinzweig and his team provide this service, but have taken specialisation one step further by focusing on drugs which need to be packed, stored and transported at low temperatures – in some cases as cold as -80 degrees centigrade.
Operating extremely successfully in an expanding market, the company found itself increasingly hampered by limited space in its current building on the Brynmenyn Industrial Estate in Bridgend – hence the investment.
“We badly needed a new facility, more equipment and additional skilled people to realise the growth potential that our position in a niche market offers us,” said Mr Weinzweig.
“We’ve grown from a company serving six customers to one with some 35 clients, and our ability to grow further was limited. But the new unit will give us all the space, equipment and people we need to expand.
“The plan is that over the next three years, we will open a series of packing lines to enable us to significantly increase the volumes we handle, and in that process we will be creating 27 new jobs.”
B&A director Mark Jones said there were many excellent companies in Wales like Biotec whose expansion was only held up by the fact that they did not have sufficient funds.
“These firms are ideal candidates for Welsh Assembly support,” he said. “In Biotec’s case, the grant means everything to them in being able to progress their project – they wouldn’t have been able to do so without it.
“It means they are now going to be able to build state of the art premises, attract high quality staff and, most importantly, attract overseas clients who will perceive Biotec to be at the right level to place their business with them.”