National Institute for Biological Standards and Control
{{Use dmy dates|date=April 2022}}
{{Infobox organization
| name = National Institute for Biological Standards and Control
| image =
| size =
| caption =
| abbreviation = NIBSC
| formation = 1972
| status = Government agency
| purpose = Biological standards, medicines control and research
| location = Blanche Lane, Ridge, Herts, UK
| region_served = UK
| membership = 300 staff (200 scientists)
| leader_title =
| leader_name =
| main_organ =
| parent_organization = Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency
| affiliations = BBSRC, MRC, WHO, NHS, DstlDHSC
| budget =
| website = {{Official URL}}
}}
The National Institute for Biological Standards and Control (NIBSC) is a government agency that works in the field of biological standardisation and is part of the United Kingdom's Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA). It is responsible for developing and producing over 90% of the biological international standards in use around the world.{{Citation needed|date=April 2013}}
The Institute is the UK's Official Medicines Control Laboratory, responsible for independent regulatory testing of biological medicines within the framework of the European Union. It is also host to the UK's stem cell bank and is a key research centre in the field of pandemic influenza.
History
The NIBSC began work in May 1972. The National Biological Standards Board was formed in 1975 at the NIMR in Mill Hill. A site was selected and the new £25m building opened in 1987, although it was officially opened in 1988. It has 4,500 square metres of laboratories. NIBSC employs around 300 staff, 200 of whom are scientists.{{Citation needed|date=March 2020}}
In February 2008, it featured in a thirty-minute programme on BBC Radio 4 in the Secret Science two-part series (the other programme was about the Health Protection Agency's Centre for Emergency Preparedness and Response at Porton Down).{{Cite web|date=18 February 2008|title=Secret Science - National Institute of Biological Standards and Control|url=http://www.bbc.co.uk/radio4/secretscience/pip/8xjt4/|access-date=2020-12-23|website=BBC}}
In April 2009, NIBSC became a centre of the UK Health Protection Agency. In April 2013, NIBSC left that agency and was merged with the UK's Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA).{{Cite book|url=https://discovery.nationalarchives.gov.uk/details/r/C14182874|title=National Institute for Biological Standards and Control (NIBSC) Website|date=2013|others=Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency, National Institute for Biological Standards and Control|language=en}}
Functions
The agency produces WHO International Standards for substances such as antibiotics, enzymes, antibodies and hormones, and methods such as blood transfusions. These standards are part of global health efforts and pharmaceutical research, and over 10,000 standards a month are shipped worldwide.{{cn|date=August 2022}}
It is the UK's Official Medicines Control Laboratory.{{Cite web |title=NIBSC - About us |url=https://nibsc.org/about_us.aspx |access-date=2025-06-08 |website=nibsc.org}}
Facilities
New buildings for the UK Stem Cell Bank (which has been on the site since May 2004{{Cite web|date=20 May 2004|title=First deposit signals that the UK stem cell bank is open for business|url=https://www.timeshighereducation.com/news/first-deposit-signals-that-the-uk-stem-cell-bank-is-open-for-business/188865.article?storyCode=188865§ioncode=26|url-access=subscription|access-date=23 December 2020|website=Times Higher Education}} and was Europe's first stem cell bank) and Influenza Resource Centre were built on the site in a £12m development by Morgan Ashurst, and opened in December 2009.{{citation needed|date=May 2020}}
See also
References
{{Reflist}}
External links
- {{Official website}}
- [http://www.hpa.org.uk/web/HPAweb&Page&HPAwebAutoListName/Page/1238230880016 Page at the HPA]
- [http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/health/8029917.stm BBC May 2009] video
- [http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/health/8040000.stm Genetic discovery in May 2009]
- [http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/health/3727663.stm Stem Cell Bank opens in May 2004]
- [http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/sci/tech/2220823.stm Stem Cell Bank announced in September 2002]
{{authority control}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:National Institute For Biological Standards And Control}}
Category:Biological research institutes in the United Kingdom
Category:Biotechnology organizations
Category:Buildings and structures in Hertfordshire
Category:Department of Health and Social Care
Category:Medical and health organisations based in the United Kingdom
Category:Medical research institutes in the United Kingdom
Category:Microbiology institutes
Category:National Influenza Centres
Category:Organisations based in Hertfordshire
Category:Organizations established in 1972
Category:Public health research institutes
Category:Regulators of biotechnology products