Almac continues to invest south of border

THE Northern Ireland-based pharmaceutical giant Almac has announced further investment plans for its £30m (€34m) site in Co Louth, a move protecting it against Brexit uncertainty.

The company, which employs nearly 5,000 people in contract drug development and manufacture, said inspections at its Dundalk campus had now been completed by the Republic’s regulatory body.

Chief executive and chairman Alan Armstrong said: “Achieving these successful Health Products Regulatory Authority (HPRA) inspections is a key milestone.”

Almac said the opening of the site has been prompted by Brexit, as well as being part of its global expansion plans, and will enable the business to maintain “seamless” access to the European single market.

It’s due to open in January next year and “complements the existing clinical supply and drug product development” carried out at its global headquarters in Craigavon, Co Armagh, Almac said.

The Dundalk campus is around 40 minutes’ drive from Almac’s Craigavon base.

It will have a laboratory and packaging facility for commercial drugs, as well as a 79,000 sq ft distribution centre for clinical trial supply.

The company said it had invested in all its operations and workforces over the last 18 months across the US, Asia and UK.

As well as operations in Ireland and Britain, Almac has bases in the US, Singapore and Japan.