Bristol-based bio-pharmaceutical consultancy eXmoor Pharma, which specialises in cell and gene therapy, has signed a deal to work with New Zealand’s blood service.
eXmoor, which has worked in more than 15 countries worldwide, will be providing the service with valuable quality support as it builds and establishes a new site near Auckland. 
The deal, which comes on the back of work recently undertaken by eXmoor in the UK for NHS Blood &Transplant (NHSBT), will be the firm’s first project in the Australasia region.
eXmoor, which is based at the Future Space science hub on UWE’s Frenchay campus, has expanded rapidly since its launch nearly six years and has developed a portfolio of clients across the UK and internationally, completing more than 400 projects.
Its globally recognised team of scientists, consultants and engineers develop cell and gene therapy (CGT) biomanufacturing projects and support businesses in commercialising research processes and developing fully licensed facilities.
The team will advise the New Zealand Blood Service (NZBS) on the good manufacturing practice (GMP) aspects of its proposed advanced therapy medicinal products (ATMP) in an initial four-month engagement with a view to longer-term support.
The team has adapted its working conditions to allow it to communicate with the NZBS, which is 12 hours ahead.
The project will be led by eXmoor GMP compliance consultant Rob Scott, who worked with the NHSBT to release batches of product. eXmoor has worked with the Filton-based Clinical Biotechnology Centre, part of NHSBT, since 2017.
eXmoor Pharma CEO Angela Osborne, pictured, said: “We have specific experience in supporting the manufacture of ATMPs, having designed 32 manufacturing facilities and supported over 125 clients across more than 400 projects in the advanced therapies and biopharmaceutical sector.
“This facility is important to the future success and operation of NZBS and we are looking forward to building a long-term, collaborative relationship with their team.”
NZBS director, quality and regulatory affairs and privacy officer, Fidelma Murphy added: “I am pleased to be working with the eXmoor team. Their experience is unparalleled and the expertise and oversight they are providing will ensure the facility we develop and the way we operate for many years to come.”
Last year eXmoor secured a £12m investment from specialist healthcare funder MVM Partners, which took a significant minority stake in the business.
eXmoor is using the investment to open a dedicated cell and gene therapy centre in Bristol this year in a move that would increase its staffing from 40 to around 200.
The 50,000 sq ft cell and gene therapy (CGT) facility will also bring world-class process development and clinical manufacturing to the city.
