Firm will initially construct new non-GMP formulation development suite and then add new QC laboratories.

Contract research and development firm Almac is to invest £4.5 million into the first phase of expanding pharmaceutical development capabilities at its headquarters in Craiavon, Northern Ireland. The expansion will provide a new non-GMP formulation facility for the development and scale-up of solid oral dose drug products using a range of technologies.

The new facility will operate at the laboratory scale, and complement Almac’s existing GMP development facilities, which are focused on pilot scale and registration. Phase two of the expansion project will involve the construction of two additional QC laboratories to support GMP analytical capabilities. Phase one of the expansion is due for completion in mid-2012, with Phase two expansion and configuration of dedicated analytical labs completing toward the end of 2012.

“The new facilities will effectively double our current pharamaceutical development capacity allowing us to meet the growing demand for our services, both from new and existing clients,” comments John McQuaid, vp of technical operations. 

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