Sunderland-based global pharmaceutical manufacturer Onyx Scientific is investing more than £1.5 million in its facility, adding four new manufacturing suites and creating nine skilled jobs, an increase in total headcount of approximately 8%, with plans to increase further in the near future as it expands capacity for commercial active pharmaceutical ingredient (API) production.
The expansion will increase the number of Good Manufacturing Practice (GMP) suites at Onyx’s Sunderland Wayfarer site, home to Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) accredited laboratories for GMP manufacture of clinical trial materials, from six to ten. The facility also holds an MHRA commercial manufacturing licence.
The investment covers new infrastructure, equipment and capacity to meet growing demand from commercial clients; with recruitment soon to get underway for the new jobs in production chemistry, analytical and quality assurance.
APIs are the components in medicines that produce their intended effect, and behind every API project is a potential life-saving medicine and a team working hard to move it forward. The new suites will help Onyx ramp up production for commercial clients and respond quickly and flexibly to pharmaceutical and biotech businesses requiring early phase GMP manufacture.
Chris Atherton, Commercial Director at Onyx Scientific, said: “Onyx has a long and proud history in Sunderland, and I am thrilled that our next stage of growth will take place here. Our pipeline of commercial clients is strong and we’re ready to invest in the facilities and people needed to support it.
“Onyx works with pharmaceutical and biotech companies around the world, and this investment means that global work will create new specialist opportunities here in the North East.
“The North East is becoming a UK powerhouse in the life sciences, and it gives us access to excellent scientific and manufacturing talent. The investment in our Sunderland facility will create opportunities for production chemists, analysts, and quality assurance professionals, further strengthening the specialist pharmaceutical capability we have built over the years.”
The new capacity is expected to be operational during the first quarter of 2027 and marks the latest phase in Onyx’s 26 year history of investment and innovation, and backing for the life sciences and pharmaceutical industries in the North East.
Chris continued: “We have always believed that world-class science can be developed in Sunderland and delivered globally. This investment marks another way we can play our part in strengthening the region’s reputation both here at home and around the world.”
Phil Witcherley, Director of Economic Growth and Innovation at the North East Mayoral Strategic Authority, said: “The life sciences sector is important for the North East economy and is part of the region’s local growth plan. We are delighted to see this investment that will create skilled jobs in Sunderland and further show that our region is a great place for this sector.”
Cllr James Jackson, portfolio holder for housing, business and regeneration at Sunderland City Council, added: “It is brilliant to see this investment into Sunderland from Onyx Scientific. Onyx is a strong example of the ambitious, knowledge-led businesses growing in the city and across the North East. At a time when the region’s life sciences sector is going from strength to strength, this latest investment from one of the city’s well-established businesses will create more skilled jobs in Sunderland, deepen our pharmaceutical manufacturing capabilities and support economic growth with an international reach from their base here in the city.”
Onyx formed in the UK in 2000 and marked its 25th anniversary at the end of 2025. From its Sunderland facilities, it supports pharmaceutical and biotech customers around the world with services spanning process research and development, solid-state chemistry, analytical development, clinical GMP manufacture and low-volume commercial API production.
