Leading North East-based chemical research and development company, High Force Research, is looking across the Atlantic as it sets its sights on growth.
Founded nearly three decades ago, High Force Research is one of the UK’s longest trading and most successful independent chemical research and development companies. The company specialises in supporting the development, synthesis and scale up of new materials for use by researchers in the fine chemicals, pharmaceutical, biotechnology, diagnostics and printed electronics industries.
Over the last eighteen months, the firm has seen significant business growth both in the UK and further afield – from universities to multi-national corporations and specialist discovery, virtual and biotech companies.
High Force Research has increased its headcount to 34 employees. In the last year it has also doubled its presence at the Wilton Centre, Redcar’s acclaimed 75-acre business and science hub, where it opened a new laboratory in early 2016 after its existing Bowburn laboratory and office space became full to capacity.
After having successfully joined a Department for International Trade (DIT) Life Sciences Trade Mission to Boston earlier this year, it is now looking at entering North American markets as part of the next stage of its development.
Members of High Force Research’s business development will be returning to North America later this month for meetings with renowned academic institutions and leading private sector firms based in the east coast’s successful pharma, biotech, medical device and digital health sectors.
Head of Business Development, Stella James commented: ““The DIT Life Sciences Trade Mission to Boston earlier this year was a great opportunity to extend our network in the US further. From our base in the North of England, we are increasingly working with clients from around the globe and as a major hub of America’s Life Science sector, Boston is an important market for us.
“The trip provided opportunities to develop a number of valuable relationships with private sector companies as well as major research institutions and we’re looking forward to returning to Boston and New Jersey in the coming weeks to explore these opportunities further and also pursue a number new opportunities.”
Founded in 1988, High Force Research is an independent company that supports medical and scientific research advances. Originally based at the Mountjoy Research Centre on the Durham University campus, High Force Research relocated to its present location in Bowburn on the outskirts of Durham in 1996.