CDMO Almac Expands with £65M UK Oral Treatment Plant, Continues Global Growth

Northern Ireland-based contract development and manufacturing organization (CDMO) Almac has opened a new £65 million ($83.7 million) commercial production plant at its headquarters in Craigavon, marking the latest move in its ongoing global expansion program. The 100,000-square-foot facility, which opened on March 11, is designed to produce oral treatments across various therapeutic areas and features state-of-the-art pharmaceutical manufacturing technology.

Expansion Driven by Industry Trends and Client Demand

John McQuaid, managing director at Almac Pharma Services, explained that the new facility positions the company to respond to several trends in the development space, including increased demand for potent oncology therapies and growing interest in patient-centric drug products. The investment is part of Almac's broader growth strategy, which has seen the company increase its projected investment from £250 million to over £400 million ($514 million) since 2022.

The new plant is expected to create 300 to 400 new jobs, adding to Almac Pharma Services' existing workforce of more than 1,800 employees across its four locations in the UK, Europe, and the US. This expansion will enhance the company's ability to support clients in over 70 countries.

Strategic Investments and Future Plans

Almac's recent growth initiatives extend beyond the new oral treatment plant. The company has also established two additional facilities at its Craigavon headquarters, focusing on peptide manufacturing and packaging for sachet drug products. Despite these significant investments, McQuaid emphasized that the company cannot "stand still" and hinted at future expansions in commercial packaging capabilities and digital infrastructure to support the rise of AI programs.

The CDMO's unique ownership structure, under the McClay Foundation, allows for a more stable, long-term partnership approach with clients. This model, coupled with strong project management, has enabled Almac to maintain growth throughout recent industry slowdowns that affected other CDMOs in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Industry Outlook and Market Positioning

As the pharmaceutical industry continues to evolve, Almac's expansion aligns with broader market trends. Analytics firm Evaluate has predicted that the CDMO market is poised to outpace overall pharma growth through 2028. McQuaid concurs, describing the industry as "quite buoyant" post-COVID, driven by the increasing number of new drugs and clinical trials.

With its latest investment and strategic positioning, Almac aims to capitalize on these industry trends and reinforce its role as a key player in the global pharmaceutical manufacturing landscape. The company's continued expansion and technological advancements underscore the growing importance of CDMOs in supporting the development and production of innovative therapies across the pharmaceutical sector.