Biotechnology giant Benchmark Holding started operations at its £17 million (€19.2 million/$22.5 million) vaccine antigen facility in Braintree, UK, on Sept. 29, the company said.

The group has processed its first antigen batch at a commercial scale at the new facility. The vaccine will be used in a number of aquaculture vaccines currently in the pipeline.

Currently, Benchmark is working on the final validation of the facilities to ensure compliance with EU Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP), and it expects to increase capacity once it is full licensed to expand the number of projects.