Benchmark Holdings PLC (LON:BMK) said it has completed the sale of its vaccine manufacturing facility at Braintree in the UK to Cell and Gene Therapy Catapult for £16mln in cash.
The aquaculture specialist said the sale forms part of a £100mln investment by the UK government to develop the Cell and Gene Therapy Catapult Manufacturing Innovation Centre to manufacture millions of doses of coronavirus vaccines per month.
WATCH: Benchmark Holdings' Peter George says sale of its vaccine facility is a 'win-win-win'
"I am pleased that we were able to complete this important transaction so swiftly and I would like to thank all parties involved in making this happen. This is an important step in our strategy of becoming a streamlined, profitable business focused on our key areas of competency", said chief executive Trond Williksen.
"I am delighted that Benchmark has been able to be part of the UK solution for vaccine manufacturing, which is a credit to the Government for moving quickly on this opportunity. The completion of this transaction marks a further milestone in the Group's considerable progress with its restructuring programme, leaving Benchmark in a stronger position following the [coronavirus] lockdown period", added chairman Peter George.
Shares in Benchmark were steady at 41p in late-morning trading on Friday.