First to the floor in our new Meet the 3M BIC Business feature is Kent Pharma, a leading manufacturer and distributor of generic pharmaceuticals and UK market leader in several niche products. It supplies to hospitals and wholesalers and has the largest tender of awarded lines to the hospital sector for injectables. Its Athlone site in Ireland is a dedicated production facility for anti-infective medicines (antibiotics) and there is a large new product development department in the UK and Ireland.
Dalkeith, now part of the parent company Kent-Athlone Pharma, is a former 3M BIC business, so we’re welcoming back some familiar faces, including Lynne Whiteley.
Here’s Lynne telling us all about the company, why the 3M BIC suits their bespoke lab needs and what the future holds for the business.
Tell us about Kent Pharma and the team based at the 3M BIC.
The company name is Kent Pharma UK, but we are part of a larger group known as Kent-Athlone Pharma group. Athlone was founded in 1974 in Ireland and Kent were founded in 1986. Kent acquired Athlone in 1992 and have continued to evolve since then, taking over further companies, Beacon and Dalkeith, the latter of which is a former 3M BIC tenant.
The purpose of the 3M BIC site is to develop liquid and cream formulations as further generic medicines for the UK and Ireland markets.
What projects are you currently working on?
We are working on a diverse number of products for the UK and Irish markets. Some we are developing in the lab at the 3M BIC, others are being manufactured elsewhere but managed by my team and the wider business development teams.
What made you move to the 3M BIC?
As Dalkeith we had leased a laboratory on the first floor and we were very happy here. It made sense to come back and the two labs we have on the ground floor are absolutely ideal for our requirements.
Why do you like being based at the 3M BIC?
The laboratory space offers everything that we need, it is convenient for rail and road links for visitors. Everyone is friendly and we just feel “at home”!
What are your future plans for Kent Pharma?
We are hoping to develop products from concept right through to commercialisation and these products will be niche products fitting in with the Kent Athlone Pharma group business concept and product portfolio.
More information about Kent Pharma can be found here.
