Almac invests €71m in US base

NORTHERN Irish pharmaceutical company Almac has invested €71.6 million in a new North American headquarters in Pennsylvania.

The Craigavon-based company, established in 2002 by Galen Holdings founder Dr Allen McClay, does most of its business in North America and continental Europe from its offices in Co Armagh and another in Edinburgh.

The latest development will create a minimum of 262 new jobs over the next three years, the company said yesterday, as well as directly leading to the retention of 495 existing positions. The new positions will include software development and laboratory specialists.

Commenting on the expansion, Dr McClay said: “We have come a long way and Almac is now a global business, a global family and our presence [in the US] demonstrates that the economic relationship between our two countries is no longer a one-way street.”

He added that the availability of a highly skilled workforce in Pennsylvania — somewhere that Almac has had a presence for more than 10 years — was a huge attraction. The state is seen as being a leading location in the US for drug development services, the core element of Almac’s output.

“We have had operations in the state over the last decade and have always been able to recruit excellent employees, who have proven to be an important part of the Almac family.

“Our positive experience to date in Pennsylvania — and especially the availability of a skilled and committed workforce — was a major factor in this decision, as was the support we have received from the governor and the state authorities.

“The future for Almac in the US, in Ireland and across the globe is very exciting and this new facility will underpin our presence and our quality service to our clients in the US.”