Almac continues investment in Ireland with £30m expansion as it secures post-Brexit strategy

Almac Group has invested £30m ($41.65) to expand its clinical and commercial drug supplies capabilities at its European Campus in Ireland as it prepares for the UK’s exit from the EU.

The development of its premises in Dundalk, Ireland was initially announced in January 2017 as part of the company’s global expansion strategy to meet client demand and address any potential challenges following Brexit.

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Almac's EU Campus (Image: Almac Group)

Global VP Corporate Marketing, Kevin Reid told Outsourcing-Pharma.com that Almac’s existing facility in Craigavon, Northern Ireland and the European campus will address any such challenges.

To further support client demand, the contract development and manufacturing organization (CDMO) has today announced a £30m ($41.65) investment, which more than triples its GMP footprint at the European campus.

The investment includes a new quality control (QC) laboratory and packaging facility for commercial drug products in addition to a dedicated 79,000 square foot EU Distribution Center for clinical trial supply.

The expanded facility is scheduled to be operational by January 2019.

Successful HPRA Inspections

Almac has also announced that it has completed Health Products Regulatory Authority (HPRA) inspections of Almac Clinical Services Ireland and Almac Pharma Services Ireland at the Dundalk campus.

With the licensure, the company will officially be able to conduct QP batch certification and release for clinical trial material and commercial drug product from the location.

Global investment

Both announcements follow a series of investments through which Almac has expanded its operational capabilities and employee count in the US, Asia, and the UK. Over the next 18 months, the company plans to continue increasing staff at the locations as well as at its headquarters in Craigavon.

Almac, as a group, has seen increased demand right across all business areas and territories over the last number of years,” said Reid. 

The company has matched this demand by investing over £75m ($104.24) across the globe, he explained.

Reid said the company will continue to expand and grow its operations globally over the coming months and years, noting the additional capacity in Europe was an integral part of this expansion.