Prime Minister Theresa May spoke to Prime Minister Shinzō Abe of Japan.

Noakes was sentenced after pleading guilty to 4 charges relating to the manufacture and sale and supply of an unlicensed medicine (GcMAF), and one count of money laundering.

Globulin component Macrophage Activating Factor (GcMAF) is a product made from human blood, sold by a Guernsey-based company called Immuno Biotech, headed by David Noakes.

GcMAF was advertised as a ‘miracle cure’ for a range of conditions including cancer, HIV and autism. There is no scientific basis for any of Noake’s claims about the product and the court heard Noakes made approximately £10 million from the sale of GcMAF between 2012 and 2015.

GcMAF was sold through various European websites and UK patients may have bought it from one of these websites. Following MHRA’s investigation, production has now stopped.

Noakes’ sentencing comes after an MHRA investigation spanning more than three years, beginning in January 2015.

David Noakes statement by MHRA

Following concerns about the product raised by the Guernsey medicines regulator, the MHRA carried out an unannounced inspection of the company’s production site in Milton, Cambridgeshire, where the product was manufactured.

The inspection uncovered that unlicensed manufacturing was taking place, the site did not meet Good Manufacturing Practice standards and that the blood plasma material used to make the product was not suitable for human use, labelled as: “Not to be administered to humans or used in any drug products”.

The MHRA seized more than 10,000 vials at the site to the value of £5.5 million, and warned people not to purchase GcMAF.

Noakes was circulated as wanted by the MHRA in 2015. By this time Noakes had relocated his business to France, but in February 2017 following a tip off was arrested by Dorset police, having flown into Bournemouth Airport in his own private aircraft from Cherbourg, France.

Noakes’ ex-wife, Loraine Noakes, received a six month sentence, suspended for two years and 150 hours unpaid work after pleading guilty to the sale and supply of unlicensed medicines.

Rodney Smith, who manufactured the product, was sentenced to 8 months in prison. Emma Ward, who also manufactured the product, received a 6 month sentence, suspended for 2 years and 150 hours unpaid work.

Brian Hall, who attempted to take GcMAF out of the UK, will be sentenced at a later date.

MHRA Head of Enforcement, Alastair Jeffrey, said:

Today’s sentencing marks the culmination of a complex three-year investigation by MHRA to protect public health.

Our investigation team worked relentlessly to bring David Noakes and his associates to justice, for putting public health at risk through the unlicensed manufacturing and sale of GcMAF products. The product was manufactured using blood plasma that was clearly marked as not to be administered to humans or used in any drug products”.

We strongly advise people not to use unlicensed products such as GcMAF, which may pose a significant risk to health.

To make sure you get the best advice in relation to your health, visit your GP or other health professional, get a correct diagnosis and buy medicines from a legitimate high street or registered pharmacy. If you’re buying medicines online, make sure you buy from a site which is properly regulated and displays the distance selling logo.

Patient safety is our highest priority and we will continue to track and prosecute criminals who exploit public health for their own gain.

Following a three-year investigation, Guernsey-based Immuno Biotech owner David Noakes has been sentenced to a total of 15 months in prison.

The government’s flagship Northern Powerhouse Partners Programme has welcomed 2 new members from Lancashire today.   ‘Lancashare’, based in Preston, uses an online sharing platform to pool the county’s resources in one place to make life, and work, easier for as many people as possible.

The sharing platform is filled with local suppliers, jobs, training providers, tenders, events, awards, networking events, news, offers, discounts, advice, information and funding from across Lancashire.

New branches are also being rolled out throughout the Northern Powerhouse including Manchester (Manceshare) and Yorkshire (Yorkshare).

The latest public sector Northern Powerhouse partner is Blackpool Airport Enterprise Zone – a 144 hectare site incorporating the expanding Blackpool Airport and surrounding commercial areas – close to the Irish Sea in Blackpool, Lancashire.

The airport continues to play an important role in making the Enterprise Zone one of the most successful in the country. The Enterprise Zone also forms part of the Lancashire Advanced Manufacturing and Energy Cluster – a government backed initiative to make Lancashire one of the leading regions in the UK in the advanced manufacturing and energy sectors.

Northern Powerhouse Minister, Jake Berry MP, said:

As Minister for the Northern Powerhouse and, of course, a proud Lancashire lad, I am delighted to welcome these 2 latest members of our Northern Powerhouse Partners Programme.  

Lancashire’s growing economic strength is testament to the dynamic and ambitious organisations across the private and public sectors who are working hand-in-hand with government to turn our Northern Powerhouse vision into a reality.

Lisa Edge, Director, Lancashare said:

Two years ago, I gave up my beloved career to stand in the middle of a county and ask businesses to ‘buy in’ to a new concept of becoming the most collaborative county we can be. Two years later, I am so proud of the amazing businesses here and being officially approved as a Northern Powerhouse partner – that is way beyond what I imagined what we could achieve in that time and is testament to the incredible businesses of these amazing counties.

Neil Jack, Chief Executive of Blackpool council said:

We share many of our aims and objectives with the Northern Powerhouse and so it makes perfect sense to collaborate, learn from and support like-minded companies, institutions, organisations and sectors across the North.

We are already playing our part in promoting the region and have strong ties with Lancashire University and its Health Innovation Campus, and Lancashire Energy HQ; Blackpool & The Fylde College’s flagship training centre, delivering the next generation of engineers and technicians through renewable and low-carbon energy generation, as well as providing traditional oil and gas training and skills for the future.

The Northern Powerhouse Partners Programme is a key part of creating the Northern Powerhouse. Government is building a network of partners who all believe strongly in the economic potential of the North and support the need for a combined effort by government and business to realise that potential.

The addition of Lancashare and the Blackpool Airport Enterprize Zone brings the total number of Lancashire members to 20 with partners including Grandma Singletons Dairy who export their renowned cheeses to markets around the globe, Vincents Solicitors who joined the Partners Programme this month, and RLR Motorsport who are the 2018 European Le Mans Series (ELMS) LMP3 Champions.

There are nearly 200 businesses and organisations signed up to the Partners Programme. Prospective partners can email NorthernPowerhouse@communities.gov.uk for more information about the Partners Programme and how to apply.

• Blackpool Airport Enterprise Zone
• Blackpool and Fylde College
• Burnley Bondholders
• Cotton Court Business Centre
• Cuadrilla
• Grandma Singletons (Singletons Dairy)
• Groundswell Innovation
• Lancashare
• Lancashire LEP
• Lancaster University
• Marketing Lancashire
• North & Western Lancashire Chamber of Commerce
• Northern Automotive Alliance
• Recycling Lives
• RLR M Sport Ltd.
• Samuel James Group
• Transdev Blazefield
• University of Central Lancashire
• Vincents Solicitors
• Workhouse Marketing

[COntact:3149]

Two new Northern Powerhouse partners announced on Lancashire Day.