UP TO 30 laboratory jobs are coming to York as global drug development business Covance expands its cancer fighting work in North Yorkshire.

The National Agri-Food Innovation Campus, at Sand Hutton near York, has been chosen by Covance which is seeking to expand its biopharmaceutical chemistry, manufacturing and control (BioPharmCMC) capabilities, currently based in Harrogate where more than 1000 people are employed.

The additional York facility will allow Covance to continue to its work on creating antibodies, vaccines, biosimilars and cell-based and gene therapies, which are critical in the treatment of many life-threatening and life-changing diseases, such as rheumatoid arthritis, hepatitis C, Crohn’s disease and, most notably, cancer.

John Ratliff, chief executive officer of Covance, said: “Covance is a recognised leader in providing global BioPharmCMC solutions, in large part due to its reputation for operational, service and scientific excellence at our Harrogate facility.

“By investing in the Harrogate BioPharmCMC expansion into nearby York, we continue to strengthen our leadership in this space, providing our clients with the end-to-end expertise and support they need from our highly skilled scientists to improve health and improve lives of patients around the world.”

Opening in late 2017, the laboratory extension in York will employ up to 30 scientists.

Greg Hands, U.K. minister of state for trade and investment said: “This investment by Covance in new laboratories at the National Agri-Food Innovation Campus in York is another boost for the U.K.’s £64 billion life sciences and biopharma sectors.

“It will add more high-skilled jobs to the approximately 1,000 Covance employees already in Harrogate and strengthen the U.K.’s leadership in the discovery and development of new medicines and treatments for use around the world.”

Roger Marsh, chairman of Leeds City Region Enterprise Partnership added: “I’m delighted to see Covance not only recommit its future to the City Region but make a substantial new investment here. I believe these new laboratories in York are a testament to the confidence in the City Region and our life sciences sector. This investment will ensure that our City Region remains at the forefront of the sector.”