Global medical diagnostics company Randox, has unveiled its plans for a futuristic manufacturing and R&D facility in the UK.
The £161 million project, which includes a £29 million capital investment for the redevelopment of the site, will accelerate the development of new products into a wide range of clinical needs, such as various cancers, stroke, heart disease and neurodegenerative disorders, through more efficient, high specification manufacturing and the provision of state-of-the-art R&D laboratories.
Randox leads in the research, development and manufacture of pioneering medical tests and cutting edge diagnostic equipment, with customers in clinical, toxicology, veterinary and food safety markets in more than 145 countries.
The award-winning biotechnology firm, with headquarters in Crumlin, County Antrim, recently purchased the former British Army base at Massereene, in Antrim town, which will be redeveloped to house the new centre of manufacturing and R&D, now renamed, Randox Science Park.
Randox Science Park will become the company’s prime manufacturing site, complementary to its manufacturing operations in Manchester, Republic of Ireland, India and the USA. Randox has a range of more than 2000 products, including advanced diagnostic tests, quality control sera, analysers and the company’s revolutionary BioChip Array Technology; many of which will be produced at this next generation facility.
This considerable investment will also lead to the creation of 540 high value job opportunities, over the next four years.
In addition, the site will feature a Transformative Healthcare Centre from the Randox Health division; giving the public direct access to Randox’s ground-breaking tests, as well as offering private GP appointments and specialist clinics, run by some of the UK’s chief medical consultants.
The expansion includes the creation of manufacturing, scientific and engineering opportunities on a major scale, as well as business support posts; the investment will also grow Randox’s sales and marketing capabilities. In addition, the 540 new jobs, with an average salary of £30k per year will generate £16.2 million in annual salaries, representing a significant boost to the UK economy.
The company said it was already engaging with universities across the UK, to access high calibre graduates for the world class opportunities at Randox Science Park.
Invest Northern Ireland is supporting the £29m Randox capital redevelopment of the site, with an investment of £4.7 million.