A NUMBER of the North-East's biggest companies are joining forces to boost the pharmaceutical, chemical and bio-industries.

It is hoped the collaboration will increase the region's share of a sector that accounts for £4.5bn of the UK's gross domestic product.

The group, known as the Pharmaceutical and Speciality Chemical Cluster (PSCC), will represent a range of firms in the sector, large and small, at regional, national and international level.

By developing the supply chain, improving access to the latest research methods, and building knowledge and cost-sharing networks, it is hoped the group will sustain the region's place at the forefront of manufacturing and encourage further inward investment. PSCC will be launched on Tuesday, November 4, at the Stadium of Light, in Sunderland.

Representing more than 150 of the region's companies, the launch presents smaller businesses with an opportunity to meet policy makers, business support organisations and research bodies.

In addition, high profile figures from industry and government will be speaking, including cluster chief executive Stan Higgins, ICI vice-president and UK Chemistry Leadership Council member, Bob Coxon.

Brian Lumsden, senior director of operations with Merk Sharpe and Dhome, David Allison, Rhodia Pharma Solutions site director, Richard Smith, managing director of Oxford Chemicals, Ian Click, Teesside Chemical Initiative chief executive, Fred Wright, Centre for Excellence in Life Sciences chief executive, and Nigel Perry, of the Centre for Process and Innovation will also take the stage.

Dr Higgins said: "The cluster brings a much-needed focus to the pharmaceutical, speciality chemical and bio-processing companies.

"It will also allow the community, universities and government to support a massive industry within the North-East, which has gained little recognition before."

Alan Clarke, One NorthEast chief executive, said: "(The cluster) will build on the region's chemicals industry that plays such a prominent role in the prosperity of the UK economy."