News

Almac, the international, integrated contract development and manufacturing organisation, today celebrates with Queen’s University (Belfast) the official opening of the University’s new library – funded by the late Sir Allen McClay.

Sir Allen worked closely with Queen’s University to increase research and development into personalised medicine, acting as the bridge between academia and industry.  After helping to establish Northern Ireland’s ‘oncology hub’ - a Northern Irish collaboration between academia and the pharmaceutical industry - Sir Allen donated £10 million to the University’s library to help enhance Northern Ireland’s knowledge-based economy, directly funding tomorrow’s leading scientists.

Lady Heather McClay with Seamus Heaney at the official opening of the McClay Library

Lady Heather McClay attended the opening and commented that the library was a most appropriate way to remember her late husband.

“Allen spent his entire life learning, even in his older years. As he set up and grew Almac he always said that he was learning every day. He held Queen’s University in the very highest regard and was acutely aware of the role universities play in driving an economy forward. He would be very pleased to have his name associated with the library and I am hopeful that what he achieved in business can inspire future business leaders in Northern Ireland.”

Alan Armstrong, CEO of Almac also welcomed the opening of the McClay library.

“The library at Queen’s was one of the projects which gave Allen most satisfaction. He took great pride in the fact that Almac, as an international company with a presence in the USA and Europe, was headquartered right here at home in Northern Ireland. Queen’s University has the same level of international standing and it too has put Northern Ireland on the world map. This link up between the two is therefore very fitting and on behalf of the entire Almac family, I wish the McClay library every success.”

-ENDS-

For further information contact:

Tristan Jervis or Alex Heeley

Account Director / Account Manager

De Facto Communications

330 High Holborn

London WC1V 7QD

T: +44 (0)207 861 3838

E: t.jervis@defacto.com

About Almac Group:

The Almac Group comprises five closely integrated divisions offering a broad range of services from R&D, biomarker discovery and development, API manufacture, formulation development, clinical trial supply and technology (IVRS/IWRS), to commercial-scale manufacture. Almac provides services to more than 600 companies, including all the world leaders in the pharmaceutical and biotech sectors.

The company employs over 2,700 individuals and is headquartered in Craigavon, Northern Ireland. US operations are based in Pennsylvania, North Carolina and California. Construction of the company’s new $120m North American Headquarters started in July 2008 and will be completed 2010.

For more information about the Almac Group, please visit www.almacgroup.com or e-mail info@almacgroup.com.