Tilbury Douglas, a leading UK building, infrastructure, engineering, and fit-out business, celebrated the groundbreaking of the Oligonucleotides Manufacturing and Innovation Centre of Excellence (OMICE) for CPI in Renfrewshire with a special ceremony.
Supported jointly by the UK Government and the Scottish Government, this state-of-the-art facility will advance oligonucleotide manufacturing to meet the growing global demand for these vital therapeutics. Attendees included John Swinney, First Minister, and esteemed guests from industry and academia. They explored the significant impact this facility will have on pharmaceutical innovation, sustainability, and patient outcomes.
OMICE will manage two solid-phase phosphonamidite manufacturing programmes simultaneously, each in its dedicated processing area. The facility will also feature areas for reagent preparation, synthesis, and post-synthesis manufacturing, creating a fully integrated environment for cutting-edge scientific innovation. Additional features include a process development lab, three ventilated tech bays, raw material and product staging areas, secure personnel facilities, and external solvent and waste handling capabilities.
Sustainability is at the heart of OMICE’s design, addressing energy efficiency, water conservation, and the use of sustainably sourced materials. The facility will incorporate renewable technologies such as advanced heat pumps, enhanced insulation, and rooftop photovoltaic panels. The project targets a BREEAM ‘Excellent’ rating, demonstrating Tilbury Douglas’ commitment to sustainable construction.
Enabling works are already in progress, including drainage installation, construction of an access road, ground improvement measures, and the creation of a piling working platform. The main construction phase is set to commence in May 2025, with project completion anticipated by mid-2026.
This is the second major project Tilbury Douglas has undertaken for CPI, following the successful delivery of the Medicines Manufacturing Innovation Centre (MMIC). Guests also toured the MMIC to learn how it is transforming manufacturing in collaboration with partners such as AstraZeneca, GSK, and The University of Strathclyde.
Barry O’Hagan, Regional Director – Scotland at Tilbury Douglas, said: “Having collaborated with CPI on previous projects, we are proud to continue delivering innovative solutions with OMICE. This project reinforces our strong partnership and commitment to advancing the life sciences sector.”
Phil Shaw, Managing Director – Building North at Tilbury Douglas, added: “This groundbreaking is another step in expanding our footprint in the life sciences sector. Our expertise in delivering complex facilities aligns with the growing demand in this rapidly evolving market, and we look forward to further strengthening our position.”
