CRO Charnwood Molecular Expands Capabilities

Loughborough’s life sciences hub Charnwood Campus has recommissioned its world-class synthetic and chemistry research facility to the highest standard to cater to the needs of its newest occupier and pre-clinical discovery contract research organization (CRO) Charnwood Molecular, in a  $75 million (£54m) construction project.

The three-story, state-of-the-art synthetic and chemistry research facility has been fully modernized by engineering firm Couch Perry Wilkes, following the delivery of a number of complex projects for Charnwood Campus including 33,000 square feet of laboratory space for the UK Department of Health and Social Care’s Lighthouse Lab.

Part-funded (£3.5m) by the Enterprise Zone reinvestment fund facilitated through co-operation with the Leicester and Leicestershire Enterprise Partnership (LLEP) and Charnwood Borough Council (CBC), the new laboratories will provide substantial capacity for future growth and expansion of Charnwood Molecular’s medicinal chemistry and process research teams, as well as facilitate the addition of drug discovery service lines.

Through a competitive tender process, Charnwood Campus appointed CPW as the design engineers, Leicester-based Mellor Bromley as its contractors and Loughborough firm Addison Hunt to undertake project management and administration and quantity surveying roles.

“It is a great pleasure to welcome Charnwood Molecular as a new occupier here,” said Gosia Khrais, commercial director, Charnwood Campus. “The project is a recommissioning of an existing facility to meet the bespoke requirements of this fantastic CRO, and includes construction of a car park with EV charging points.