LGC to house the laboratory testing operations of the UK Medicines Control Agency
Philip Hunt, health minister, opened the Medicines Control Agency (MCA) Laboratory at LGC in Teddington, Middlesex, on 17 September 2002.
The MCA chose to outsource its laboratory testing operations in a ten-year collaboration agreement to LGC over strong competition from other companies.
The dedicated MCA Laboratory is already receiving samples, enabling MCA to deliver a fast, efficient service and will benefit from advantages such as on-site access to specialised analytical techniques.
Keith Jones, chief executive of the MCA, said: "By bringing our medicines testing work under one roof, we hope to gain greater control over how and when our work progresses.
We are delighted to have found such a strong partner in LGC and look forward to a long and mutually beneficial collaboration." "The strategic alliance between the MCA and LGC has created a unique partnership model," said Ray Ah-Sun, director of business development at LGC.
"With the MCA Laboratories at LGC, MCA can retain control of the work programme and prioritisation, while LGC manages the staff and all operations." As the regulatory body serving the pharmaceutical industry, the MCA's Medicines Testing Scheme (MTS) protects consumers by sampling and analysing medicinal products on or destined for the UK market.
The MCA facilities at LGC must be capable of handling a whole range of analytical testing: routine, high-volume testing of medicinal products (both licensed and unlicensed); specialised analysis required by products such as Chinese medicines; and 'enforcement' sample testing.
"We are delighted to welcome the MCA to LGC," said Richard Worswick, LGC's chief executive.
"The MCA is a prestigious client. Establishing the premises for the MCA at LGC benefits both organisations.
Handling the operations of the MCA Laboratory also fits well with the pharmaceutical developments we are making elsewhere at LGC - in pharmacogenetics, microarrays, Admet, and other areas."
