Craigavon-based pharmaceutical company Almac has announced a further commercial manufacturing expansion. Together with the recent completion of a new non-GMP drug development facility at the Craigavon site this dual expansion represents a total investment of £13.7million, which includes some financial support from Invest Northern Ireland. Over the next three years up to 229 jobs will be created across both projects.

The product, a laxative drug, which is contract manufactured by Almac, has recorded robust sales growth year on year throughout the UK and Europe. With existing facilities at full capacity and further demand forecast in a number of new markets Almac decided to focus all production in Northern Ireland with additional equipment and resources in Craigavon. The investment will deliver blending equipment, an automated packing and integrated cartoning line which will enable high volume bulk commercial manufacturing scheduled to begin in November 2013.

Also at the Craigavon site Almac is experiencing growth through the creation of a new 13,400 square feet formulation development facility and analytical laboratories. This facility focuses on the development of tablet and capsule formulations for new drugs which are in the early stages of development and which have not yet reached the market.