Keele University Science and Innovation Park tenant, Cobra Biologics, were presented with the Queen’s Award for Enterprise in International Trade 2018, by the Lord Lieutenant of Staffordshire on 20 September 2018.

The leading international contract development and manufacturing organisation were presented the award in recognition of their commercial success in providing services to its global customer base. Guests attending the event included representatives from Innovate UK, Bionow, UK Department of Trade, BIA, Keele University, University of Manchester, contacts from Japan and many others all of whom were invited for their contribution to Cobra’s development into a globally recognised CDMO for advanced therapies.

Cobra has a 20 year track record in supporting life science businesses from preclinical through to commercial supply and currently exports over 85% of its services from its facilities based in both the UK and Sweden.

In April 2017, Cobra announced a £15 million advanced therapy expansion plan, to meet the increased demand from plasmid DNA and viral vectors for Phase III and Commercial supply to support both existing and new customer requirements in the development of revolutionary disease therapies.

Peter Coleman, Chief Executive of Cobra Biologics, commented: “I am immensely proud of the work Cobra does and the Queens Award presentation was an opportunity for me to thank everybody personally for their contribution to the progress we have made over the recent past. I believe international trade is vitally important for the UK economy and the work that we do requires an exceptionally dedicated and skilled team to attract the business we do from all over the world. Cobra’s aim now is to build on the progress we have made and become a world leading CDMO for Advanced Therapies.”

Dr Mark Bacon, Director of Research, Innovation and Engagement and Head of the Science Park, said: “This is a really important landmark for Cobra and on behalf of Keele University I would like to congratulate them on this incredible success of being awarded the UK’s most prestigious business award granted in recognition of outstanding achievement in the export of services for advanced therapies.”

For more information and availability on Keele University’s Science and Innovation Park click here.

Pictured above (L-R): Peter Coleman (CEO), Lord Lieutenant Mr Ian Dudson, Daniel Smith (CSO), Philip Ridley-Smith (Sales and Marketing Director).