Life Sciences

Sterling Pharma Solutions Appoints Dr Stewart Mitchell as New Site Head for its ADC Development Facility in Deeside, UK

Sterling Pharma Solutions, a global contract development and manufacturing organisation, announced the appointment of Stewart Mitchell as site head of its new antibody-drug conjugate (ADC) facility in Deeside, UK. Reporting to Kevin Cook, Sterling’s Chief Executive Officer, Dr Mitchell will lead the Deeside facility. He takes over from Alan Raymond, who has been acting general manager since Sterling acquired ADC Bio.

Dr Mitchell brings more than 25 years of industry experience to Sterling, having previously managed sites in the UK and US 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 announced that it had completed the acquisition of ADC Bio, including its 6,500 square-metre 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 support the growth of 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.