Producer Cell Line for GMP Viral Vector Packaging

NHS BLOOD AND TRANSPLANT

This public procurement record has 2 releases in its history.

Award

30 Apr 2026 at 10:59

Award

13 Apr 2026 at 11:23

Summary of the contracting process

The NHS Blood and Transplant has recently completed a direct award procurement process under the title "Producer Cell Line for GMP Viral Vector Packaging." This procurement is classified under the health services industry category and involves the development of a GMP-compliant recombinant adeno-associated viral vector manufacturing platform. The buying organisation is located in Bristol, United Kingdom, and the procurement process concluded on 30th April 2026. The contract was awarded to Thermo Fisher Scientific, with the contract period scheduled from 22nd May 2026 to 31st March 2033. The procurement method used was a direct award based on the necessity for continuity and specialised capabilities offered by the supplier, deemed critical to avoid disproportionate re-validation and associated risks.

This tender presents significant business growth opportunities, particularly for large-scale suppliers and enterprises with expertise in GMP-compliant biotechnology and viral vector manufacturing. Companies capable of providing specialised cell lines for intricate biotechnological processes stand a better chance of thriving in this domain. The securement of such contracts can enhance business portfolios and expand market reach in the highly specialised field of clinical biotechnology. Enterprises similar to Thermo Fisher Scientific, with capabilities to support unique industry demands and stringent process requirements, would be well-positioned to compete and succeed in future similar opportunities.

How relevant is this notice?

Notice Title

Producer Cell Line for GMP Viral Vector Packaging

Notice Description

The Clinical Biotechnology Centre (CBC) has recently validated a GMP-compliant recombinant adeno-associated viral vector (rAAV) manufacturing platform process to support UK academic clients in transitioning their gene therapy programmes from research into human clinical trials. The work took over four years of intensive effort, including initial process development, iterative process optimisation and scale-up to ensure suitability for GMP technology transfer. Critical starting and raw materials were selected and approved for use on the platform, as well as determining the optimal process parameters to ensure consistent performance. The validated platform process is now installed within the CBC's GMP clean room viral vector manufacturing suites. As rAAV manufacturing is inherently complex, technically demanding, and highly sensitive to changes in process conditions, any modification to the validated platform carries considerable risk to the quality of the products being manufactured. Even minor changes could have a significant impact to disrupt platform performance that would require months of expensive re-optimisation and re-validation activities, which would present unacceptable operational and business risks.

Procurement Information

CBC's validated GMP AAV platform being built and validated around VPC2.0 and continuity required to avoid disproportionate re-validation, delay, cost and operational risk. Only Thermo Fisher is able to grant the required rights and support for these specific cell lines, and no reasonable alternative exists without disproportionate consequences.

Publication & Lifecycle

Open Contracting ID
ocds-h6vhtk-0680f1
Publication Source
Find A Tender Service
Latest Notice
https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/039802-2026
Current Stage
Award
All Stages
Award

Procurement Classification

Notice Type
UK6 - Contract Award Notice
Procurement Type
Standard
Procurement Category
Services
Procurement Method
Direct
Procurement Method Details
Direct award
Tender Suitability
SME
Awardee Scale
Large

Common Procurement Vocabulary (CPV)

CPV Divisions

85 - Health and social work services


CPV Codes

85100000 - Health services

Notice Value(s)

Tender Value
Not specified
Lots Value
Not specified
Awards Value
£180,000 £100K-£500K
Contracts Value
Not specified

Notice Dates

Publication Date
30 Apr 20261 months ago
Submission Deadline
Not specified
Future Notice Date
Not specified
Award Date
13 Apr 20262 months ago
Contract Period
21 May 2026 - 31 Mar 2033 Over 5 years
Recurrence
Not specified

Notice Status

Tender Status
Complete
Lots Status
Complete
Awards Status
Pending
Contracts Status
Not Specified

Contracting Authority (Buyer)

Main Buyer
NHS BLOOD AND TRANSPLANT
Contact Name
Available with D3 Tenders Premium →
Contact Email
Available with D3 Tenders Premium →
Contact Phone
Available with D3 Tenders Premium →

Buyer Location

Locality
BRISTOL
Postcode
BS34 7QH
Post Town
Bristol
Country
England

Major Region (ITL 1)
TLK South West (England)
Basic Region (ITL 2)
TLK5 West of England
Small Region (ITL 3)
TLK52 Bath & North East Somerset and South Gloucestershire
Delivery Location
Not specified

Local Authority
South Gloucestershire
Electoral Ward
Filton
Westminster Constituency
Filton and Bradley Stoke

Supplier Information

Number of Suppliers
1
Supplier Name

THERMO FISHER SCIENTIFIC

Further Information

Notice Documents

Open Contracting Data Standard (OCDS)

View full OCDS Record for this contracting process

JSON Markdown

The Open Contracting Data Standard (OCDS) is a framework designed to increase transparency and access to public procurement data in the public sector. It is widely used by governments and organisations worldwide to report on procurement processes and contracts.

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