Sterling Pharma Appoints Stewart Mitchell as New Site Head

Sterling Pharma Solutions, a global CDMO, has appointed Stewart Mitchell as site head of its new antibody-drug conjugate (ADC) facility in Deeside, UK. Dr. Mitchell will lead the Deeside facility, and report to Kevin Cook, Sterling’s Chief Executive Officer. He succeeds Alan Raymond, who has been acting general manager since Sterling acquired ADC Bio.

Dr. Mitchell brings more than 25 years of industry experience having previously managed sites in the UK and U.S. for companies including Rhodia, Shasun, Piramal and Thermo Fisher. He joins Sterling from CMAC, a hub for advanced pharmaceutical research, manufacturing and training, based at the University of Strathclyde, Glasgow, UK.

“We are pleased to welcome Stewart to head our new facility in Deeside, where he will oversee and implement the investment plans we have, and recruit additional talent. He brings great experience to the business, and will play an important role as we look to fully integrate the site into Sterling’s growing network of facilities, and expand the capabilities of the site going forward,” said Mr Cook. “I’d like to thank Alan for his dedication to the ADC Bio business over the years, and for being an instrumental part of the acquisition process.”

Sterling completed the acquisition of ADC Bio, including its 6,500 square-meter facility in Deeside, in April 2021. The facility is fully equipped to support ADC research and development, including the specific containment capabilities that are necessary for handling potent cytotoxins. A multi-million pound investment at the site will expand the company’s ADC capabilities, which will include expanding and developing the facility’s technical services and analytical teams, and establishing cGMP bioconjugation/ADC manufacturing capabilities in 2022.