Owner of GW Pharmaceuticals, Jazz Pharmaceuticals, has announced the construction of a state-of-the-art cannabis manufacturing facility to be based at Kent Science Park, Sittingbourne.
The 60,000 sq. ft facility, due to open in 2024, will support the manufacture of regulatory approved cannabis-based medicines.
The Jazz Pharmaceuticals‘ $7.2bn takeover of medical cannabis giant GW Pharmaceuticals was an important turning point for the cannabis industry in the UK, and the announcement of this new construction facility demonstrates it is only set to grow in the country.
In an announcement, Chris Tovey, executive vice president, chief operating officer and managing director, Europe & International at Jazz Pharmaceuticals, stated: “The UK has been our home for over two decades. This strategic investment underlines Jazz’s continued commitment to the UK and will help us bring potentially life-changing medicines to more patients who desperately need them in the UK and around the world.
“We are thrilled to have commenced construction of this state-of-the-art facility in Kent, which will create more than 100 permanent, highly skilled jobs.
“This facility, which is expected to open in 2024, will not only significantly increase our ability to support the growing demand for our medicines, but help us maintain our position as a world leader in cannabinoid science.”
Read more: Pfizer enters medical cannabis market with new acquisition
The UK Government’s Life Science Vision, set out in July 2021, aims to make the UK “the world leader for development, testing, access, and uptake of new and innovative treatments and technologies.” Representatives from the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, Department of International Trade, and the Office for Life Sciences attended the event marking the beginning of construction on the site.
George Freeman MP, Minister for Science, Research and Innovation, commented: “This £75m investment by Jazz Pharmaceuticals in a state of the art pharmaceutical manufacturing facility is a big sign of confidence in the UK life science ecosystem.
“Not only will this investment support the creation of over 100 additional highly skilled jobs in the region, it is a sign of UK expertise in cannabinoid science and medicines serving the UK and beyond.”
The facility is designed to support the GW’s two regulatory-approved cannabis-based medicines – Sativex and Epidiolex – as well as new medicines under development. Jazz Pharmacauetical’s pipeline is developing additional cannabinoid medicines for neuropsychiatry targets, brain injury, schizophrenia and autism spectrum disorders.
It is also currently carrying out Phase III trials nabiximols – a cannabinoid medicine for MS spasticity and spinal cord injury – seeking to gain FDA approval.
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