First batch produced by new fish vaccine facility

Benchmark’s £17 million state-of-the-art vaccine antigen production facility in Braintree has now processed its first commercial-scale batch of antigen, which will be used in a number of new aquaculture vaccines in the company’s product pipeline.

Work on the final validation of the facility to ensure compliance with EU Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP) is underway and once fully licensed the increased capacity will allow the company to significantly expand the number and range of vaccines it produces.

The 2,500-square-metre facility is set to be one of the most capable EU GMP antigen production facilities in Europe.

"This is a significant milestone for Benchmark,” commented Malcolm Pye, Benchmark CEO. “The new facility provides the foundation for the large-scale antigen manufacture and testing of our new pipeline products, and represents the engine room through which our ground-breaking products can be delivered on a large commercial scale."