NEPIC is an organisation formed by the 200 Pharmaceutical, Biotechnology, Speciality, Petrochemical Commodity Chemical companies based in the North East of England. Furthermore there are at least another 150 companies in the supply chain of these industries based here making up this major economic Cluster. The combined economic power of NEPIC companies and their importance to the North East of England cannot be over emphasised. They provide ~£8bn of GDP and over 25% of the regions industrial base, employing 34,000 people directly and impacts indirectly on the income of a further 280,000. NEPIC companies have significant presence in all sub regions of the North East of England - Northumberland, Tyne Wear, Durham and Teesside.