First Minister Praises World-Class Standard of Research and Development at Almac Group HQ
16 October 2007
First Minister Dr Ian Paisley recently visited the headquarters of Almac in Craigavon, County Armagh. This was Dr Paisley's first visit to the company, which employs 2,000 people across facilities in Northern Ireland, Scotland and the United States.
The company's five divisions work with over 600 companies from across the world, including all the global leaders in the pharmaceutical and biotech sectors. Almac provides a broad range of services including drug discovery, diagnostics, pharmaceutical research and development, clinical trials and drug product manufacture.
Dr Paisley said: "It is encouraging to see such home grown expertise being used to design and produce medical and healthcare treatments which are cutting edge and being used right across the globe. The world class standard of research and development taking place here in Northern Ireland is to be commended, and is a clear indication that despite many obstacles, our education system and work ethic mean that the spirit of entrepreneurship and innovation is alive and well. All of us in the executive and assembly will work to build an environment where more success stories like Almac can develop and flourish."
Dr Paisley met with Almac Group Chairman Sir Allen McClay as well as executives from each of the company's business units. This included Professors Tim Harrison, Paul Harkin and Dr Richard Kennedy, all of whom are leaders in our research and development programmes including our internationally renowned work on cancer diagnostics. They provided Dr Paisley with a full briefing on the division's work.
Paying personal tribute to Sir Allen McClay, founder of Almac, Dr Paisley stated: "He sets an example to all of us of how success is within the reach of every person in Northern Ireland."
Chairman of the Almac Group, Sir Allen McClay said: "We are honoured to have the First Minister here today at Almac Headquarters. Innovation is at the centre of all our work as we continue to advance the development of future medicines here in Craigavon. The company now has a distinct international flavour; 29 nationalities make up the Almac family, and we still retain our Northern Ireland identity."
