Founded in 2015, Seda Pharmaceutical Development Services (Seda) has evolved from a two-person pharmaceutical consultancy into an integrated contract research, development and manufacturing organisation (CRDMO) supporting clients across the UK, Europe and North America. Today, the company employs around 70 people, and generated approximately £6.75 million in annual revenue during the last financial year and is pursuing ambitious growth plans following a recent £15 million investment
Alongside that growth, SEDA has worked with multiple parts of the Greater Manchester business support ecosystem. Through relationships developed with Invest Manchester (formerly MIDAS), the company was introduced to a range of specialist services across the wider Growth Company network, including GM Business Growth Hub, helping support its expansion in Greater Manchester and beyond.
We spoke to Marcel de Matas, Co-Founder and Chief Business Officer, and Paula Goddard, Head of Sales and Marketing, about SEDA's growth journey.
Building a pharmaceutical business in Greater Manchester
How has SEDA evolved since the business was founded?
SEDA started life as a specialist pharmaceutical consultancy with just two people and a clear ambition to help companies develop new medicines more effectively.
Our role is to help biotechnology and pharmaceutical companies move new medicines from development into clinical trials and, ultimately, commercialisation.
For the first few years, we grew steadily as a consultancy business. As demand increased, particularly during and after the Covid-19 period, we recognised an opportunity to expand our capabilities and broaden the services we could offer.
One of our biggest milestones came when we moved from Alderley Park to Cheadle Royal Business Park, giving us the space and flexibility needed to grow. We then invested in a manufacturing facility, allowing us not only to develop medicines, but also to manufacture products for use in clinical trials. Receiving our MHRA manufacturing licence in 2025 was another major milestone and marked our transition into a fully integrated CRDMO.
The growth has been significant. In 2022, we were around 25 people. Today we employ approximately 70 people and have increased annual revenue from around £3 million to approximately £6.75 million.
Why did you choose to move to Greater Manchester?
When we started looking for a new home for the business, we needed space that could support our long-term growth ambitions. The facilities available in Cheadle Royal Business Park provided the capacity and flexibility we needed to expand.
Greater Manchester also offered access to a strong talent pool, world-class universities and excellent connectivity, making it easier to attract the scientific, technical and commercial expertise required to support our growth.
Following the move, we developed a strong relationship with Invest Manchester (formerly MIDAS), which recognised Seda as a growing life sciences business and helped connect us with organisations, networks and support services across the region. Through those introductions, we became part of the wider Growth Company ecosystem and were introduced to a range of GM Business Growth Hub services that have continued to support the business as it has grown.
Support That Evolved Alongside the Business
How has GM Business Growth Hub supported Seda's growth?
One of the most valuable aspects of working with GM Business Growth Hub has been that the support evolved alongside the business. As we grew, different challenges emerged, and different services became relevant at different stages. Having a dedicated Key Account Manager made it easier to navigate the wider support available and connect with the right services at the right time.
As our ambitions became increasingly international, the International Scale Up Programme provided practical guidance on topics such as US incorporation, tax considerations and market access. We were also introduced to a dedicated trade adviser who continues to support our international growth plans, helping us build confidence as we explore opportunities in key overseas markets.
The Green Economy team has also played an important role. As ESG requirements became increasingly important to our customers, we needed support to understand our carbon footprint, establish a baseline and develop a roadmap for improvement.
Initially, we didn't know where to start. One particularly valuable exercise involved analysing our energy consumption. This identified inefficiencies within the business and ultimately delivered measurable cost savings, while giving us greater confidence in our sustainability strategy.
We then commissioned the Green Economy team to calculate emissions, establish Scope 3 reporting, support our EcoVadis accreditation journey and strengthen the ESG credentials increasingly required within the pharmaceutical sector. They also helped identify opportunities to reduce energy consumption and improve operational efficiency.
As the organisation continued to scale, Made Smarter support helped us assess how digital systems and automation could support future growth. This has been particularly valuable as we plan for significant expansion, helping ensure our systems and processes can evolve alongside the business rather than become barriers to growth.
At the same time, Workforce Development support has provided access to training, skills development and people strategy support. For a business operating within a highly specialised scientific sector, attracting, developing and retaining talent is critical, and this support has helped ensure our workforce grows alongside the organisation.
Together, these services have helped us address challenges across international expansion, sustainability, workforce development and digital transformation, giving us a stronger platform for the next phase of growth.
Scaling through investment and international growth
What does the recent £15 million investment mean for the business?
The investment from British Growth Fund (BGF) will help accelerate the next phase of Seda's growth, supporting additional manufacturing capacity, commercial development and international expansion.
It also provides the confidence to move forward with ambitious growth plans. Over the next four years, we aim to increase revenue from approximately £6.75 million to around £23 million while significantly expanding our workforce and capabilities.
Internationally, we're continuing to strengthen our presence in key markets, particularly the United States, as we build on the foundations established through our international growth activities.
Looking Ahead
What's next for Seda?
Our ambition is to continue expanding our scientific and manufacturing capabilities while strengthening our international presence.
Ultimately, our goal is to help bring more innovative medicines to patients while building a world-class pharmaceutical development and manufacturing business in Greater Manchester.
Paula Goddard, Head of Sales and Marketing, Seda
Get in touch
Please contact us at 0161 3593050 or query below.
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