Biopharmaceutical company takes 15,000 sq ft at Teesside’s Wilton Centre

FUJIFILM Diosynth Biotechnologies, a world leading developer and manufacturer of biologics-based medicines, has taken 15,000 sq ft of space at The Wilton Centre near Redcar, on a new 10 year lease.

This is one of the most significant lettings at the 75 acre science and business park in the past decade.  It follows hard on the heels of Faraday Training Group taking 36,000 sq ft at the Wilton Centre for a new training centre.

FUJIFILM Diosynth Biotechnologies is expanding its development facilities, presently located in Billingham, by equipping two floors at the Wilton Centre.  The firm has more than 25 years of experience in process development and manufacturing, employs 1,200 people worldwide and also has facilities in North Carolina and Texas in the United States.

“This is great news for FUJIFILM, the Wilton Centre and the whole of Teesside, with the expansion of a world leading company in the region,” says Steve Duffield, Wilton Centre’s Site Director.

“FUJIFILM is exactly the sort of occupier we want to attract to the Wilton Centre to make use of our unique combination of office, laboratory and process development space.  The Centre’s owners Angelo Gordon and Trinity Investment Management, which acquired the business park in March 2016, are especially keen to see leading scientific research and development businesses at the Wilton Centre and at their other science and technology parks in the UK.”

“FUJIFILM is committed to growing its contract development and manufacturing business rapidly to fulfil the global demand for biopharmaceuticals,” states Paul Found, COO of FUJIFILM Diosynth Biotechnologies, UK.

“Our expansion into Wilton has allowed us to efficiently increase our development capabilities in the UK.  Wilton offers us access to high quality laboratory space with great supporting infrastructure which are critical to effectively meet our customers’ needs.”

Middlesbrough-based letting agents Dodds Brown acted for the Wilton Centre.  FUJIFILM Diosynth Biotechnologies was unrepresented.

Stephen Brown, Senior Partner at Dodds Brown, says: “It was important for FUJIFILM to find room to expand, but to remain in the Teesside area.  The Wilton Centre had the right mix of space to meet their diverse needs.”

The Wilton Centre is a leading, privately-owned science and business park located in the heart of Teesside between Redcar and Middlesbrough.  It provides a wide range of top quality office, laboratory and pilot plant accommodation at competitive rental terms with immediate occupancy.  The centre is set in a 75 acre landscaped site with its own lake and boasts 1600 free car parking spaces.