Reprocell Europe, part of the global life sciences company Reprocell Inc. (Japan), is a leading example of high-tech inward investment operating successfully from the North East Technology Park (NETPark) in County Durham.
The company’s site within the science park’s Plexus building plays a critical role in its international operations – supporting research, manufacturing and product distribution across Europe, the Middle East and Africa (EMEA).
Reprocell’s presence at NETPark began in 2014 following the acquisition of Durham University spin-out Reinnervate, which developed the innovative Alvetex® 3D cell culture technology. This proprietary scaffold allows scientists to grow complex, three-dimensional human tissue in vitro, providing more accurate and ethical models for drug development and disease research.
“The innovation behind Alvetex was developed in the region, and it’s still manufactured here at NETPark,” explains David Bunton, CEO of Reprocell Europe. “Our location gives us immediate access to both advanced manufacturing space and the research partnership with Durham University that continues to drive new product development.”
Alvetex® is a platform that enables researchers to grow lifelike tissue models – such as full-thickness skin, gut lining and lung tissue – outside the human body. These models are used by pharmaceutical, biotech and academic institutions to test how new medicines behave before they are taken into clinical trials.
“Standard cell cultures grow on flat plastic surfaces, which is not how tissue behaves in the body,” explains David. “With Alvetex, we provide a 3D scaffold where cells can grow and interact like they would in real tissue. That gives researchers a far more predictive environment for testing drugs.”
The innovation supports a major shift in the industry, away from animal models and towards more human-relevant testing. “We’re building what is effectively a mini clinical trial in a dish,” David says. “You can take a drug candidate and test it on engineered human tissue that replicates a specific condition – without involving patients.”
One recent example is Reprocell’s newly launched 3D tissue model for idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF), a progressive and currently incurable lung disease that affects over three million people worldwide. Developed in collaboration with teams at NETPark, Durham University and Glasgow, the model uses Alvetex® to replicate diseased lung tissue in the lab, enabling researchers to assess the effectiveness of potential treatments before clinical trials. The IPF model is now available to pharmaceutical companies on a contract testing basis.
Later this year, Reprocell will launch the next range of products to support human tissue engineering. Alvetex® Advanced, manufactured at NETPark, will allow users to grow human full-thickness skin for a range of research applications, including the testing of medicines, chemicals, cosmetics and consumer products.
The NETPark site supports Reprocell’s European operations not only as a manufacturing and logistics centre, but also as a bridge to R&D activities at Durham University. A key figure in that collaboration is Professor Stefan Przyborski, Reprocell Europe’s Chief Scientific Officer and Professor of Cell Technology at Durham University. He was also the inventor of the Alvetex® technology when it was first developed at the university.
“Our proximity to Durham University helps us accelerate the development of new formats of Alvetex, including our latest range – Alvetex Advanced – designed to support various applications in dermatology research such as cosmetic testing, ageing and wound healing,” adds David.
The NETPark site also handles shipping and logistics for customers across EMEA and provides a base for marketing, finance and supply chain roles. Though the team on-site is small, its reach is international.
“It’s a compact footprint, but a vital one,” David says. “Everything we manufacture and sell into Europe is handled here. NETPark gives us the infrastructure we need to operate globally from a regional base.”
Reprocell’s long-term presence at NETPark also demonstrates the value of the park in attracting and retaining international investment in science and technology.
NETPark provides an environment uniquely suited to the needs of high-tech, science-based companies like Reprocell Europe. The park combines state-of-the-art laboratory, office, and advanced manufacturing facilities with flexible spaces that can be tailored to different stages of growth. Its proximity to leading research institutions, including Durham University, enables seamless collaboration on product development, scientific innovation, and access to cutting-edge expertise. This combination of high-quality infrastructure and academic partnerships allows companies to accelerate R&D, scale manufacturing, and bring innovative products to market more efficiently than would be possible in isolated locations.
Beyond facilities and research connections, NETPark offers a comprehensive support ecosystem that helps companies thrive internationally from a regional base. Business Durham, which manages the park, provides guidance on funding, strategic growth, and market development, while also facilitating connections across local and global networks. For companies like Reprocell, this means they can operate globally – handling manufacturing, logistics, and distribution for Europe, the Middle East, and Africa – while remaining firmly anchored in a supportive regional hub. The park’s combination of infrastructure, talent access, and business support has proven crucial in attracting and retaining inward investment, making NETPark a launchpad for innovation and sustainable growth.
Sarah Slaven, Managing Director of Business Durham, which manages NETPark and offers tailored business support, said: “Reprocell’s success shows how high-growth international businesses can thrive here. With world-class infrastructure, proximity to leading universities, and comprehensive support services from Business Durham, NETPark provides the ideal environment for science-based companies to scale and innovate. Beyond providing premium facilities, we are committed to supporting businesses with funding advice, connections, and strategic guidance to help them grow both locally and internationally.”
Find out more about Reprocell here: reprocell.com and NETPark here northeasttechnologypark.com
