Overview: Why choose Cambridge Research Biochemicals?
History
1980:
Cambridge Research Biochemicals (CRB) established in Cambridge, UK, by entrepreneur Ken Liddle and a group of leading peptide research scientists from the Medical Research Council (MRC-LMB). The second oldest peptide company in the world, it makes chemically synthesised peptides, later expanding into custom-made antibodies.
1989:
CRB bought by ICI and moves to two sites in the north: Northwich, Cheshire, for peptides (research & clinical use) and antibody production; and Billingham, Teesside, for radiolabelled peptides and organics.
1993:
ICI demerges to form ICI and Zeneca with CRB part of Zeneca’s Specialties division. Shortly after, CRB sells catalogue business (peptides, antibodies, kits) to Genosys Biotechnologies (later acquired by Sigma group). CRB concentrates on pharmaceutical ingredient operations and custom reagents.
1999:
Zeneca merges with Swedish firm, Astra, to form AstraZeneca. Shortly after, management-led buy-out of Specialties division forms Avecia, which includes CRB. Peptide and antibody operations moves to Billingham, Teesside. Large-scale production of peptides, for clinical trials, remains at Northwich, closing down three years later.
2000:
Management buy-out of CRB and new limited company formed retaining CRB name. Following year, CRB moves into custom-designed, self-contained premises at Belasis Hall Technology Park, Billingham. Awarded ISO 9001:2000 Quality Management System Accreditation.
2003:
Online antibody tracking facility introduced (an industry first) for custom antibody customers. Wins tender to supply custom antibodies to AstraZeneca’s UK & USA divisions. Selected by Tocris Neuroscience to produce and validate their catalogue antibodies.
2007:
Agreement with Invitrogen-Molecular Probes to use fluorescent dyes for peptide labelling. Wins UK distributorship of Panagene’s custom PNA (Peptide Nucleic Acid) services and products. Steven Powell, Plethora Solutions, and Peter White, Merck-Novabiochem, join CRB’s advisors’ team as non-executive chairman and technical director, respectively.
2008:
Re-establishes custom monoclonal antibody production through alliance with Babraham Bioscience Technologies, Cambridge, and Epitomics Inc, California. Renews radiolabelled peptide production as agent for RC-Tritec, Switzerland. Fluorescent dye range expanded through partnership with emerging companies Atto-Tec (Germany), Biosearch (USA) and Cyanagen (Italy).
2009:
Brand revitalisation programme and £100,000 investment in equipment and production. Wins European Commission grant, 196,000 Euros, to provide peptide expertise and development as part of pan-European consortium of research institutes and companies to research into biomaterial heart patches.
