The section has been actively involved in the standardisation and control of Cytokines and Growth Factors since 1980.  Over 90% of the WHO international standards and reference reagents for these biologically active proteins, e.g., IFN-β, G-CSF have been produced here. Development of standards and reference reagents for novel cytokines and growth factors with therapeutic potential are continually pursued. Other activities include quality testing of products as an OMCL for the EU co-ordinated centrally authorised product testing scheme (and contractual purposes), development and implementation of new assays for evaluation of products in development e.g., second-generation, biosimilar products, and for investigations relating to assessment of unwanted immunogenicity of a range of biotherapeutics including cytokines, monoclonal antibodies and fusion proteins. The section contributes to the EMEA/Biosimilar Medicines Working Party and collaborates with manufacturers in the evaluation of new therapeutics under development.