Almac Group, the global contract development and manufacturing organization, has acquired BioClin Laboratories, an independent and privately owned organization based in Athlone, Ireland.

Established in 2002 and located in Garrycastle, just two hours away from Almac Group’s headquarters in Northern Ireland, BioClin is internationally recognized for providing expert analytical services including cGMP pharmaceutical and biopharmaceutical analysis, GMP microbiology testing and GLP bioanalysis. The company also boasts Ireland’s leading GLP certified (INAB), cGMP certified (HPRA) and FDA registered contract laboratory.

BioClin’s bespoke 14,000 square foot modern facility significantly increases Almac’s analytical capacity and complements its existing business enabling strategic expansion and greater ability to serve clients’ needs globally. The acquisition will see BioClin’s analytical experts join Almac Sciences’ network of almost 600 employees across multiple sites in Europe and North America.

Almac also recently completed significant expansion of its existing analytical facilities at its global headquarter site in Northern Ireland with the creation of a new, bespoke, MHRA approved laboratory.

News of this acquisition comes just days after announcing a multi-million pound expansion of Almac-owned, Arran Chemical Company, also based in Athlone, which substantially increased Almac’s manufacturing capacity for fine chemicals, pharmaceutical intermediates and advanced building blocks.

“We are delighted to announce this acquisition demonstrating further commitment to strategic growth and development of our global business,” said Stephen Barr, managing director, Almac Sciences. “Adding BioClin’s highly complementary analytical capacity and technical expertise to our existing capabilities, we are able to broaden our service offerings and address our global clients’ growing demands for a high quality, integrated, efficient service. We look forward to working with the BioClin team and plan to invest significantly in this facility.”

Mary Burke, managing director, BioClin Laboratories, said, “We are very pleased to join Almac. With our shared values for outstanding quality, expertise and innovation we see this as an excellent strategic fit for BioClin enabling us to expand and deliver an enhanced range of analytical solutions to an international client market.”