Almac Group, a contract development and manufacturing organisation, is expanding its North American headquarters campus in Souderton, Pennsylvania, US.
The NAHQ expansion project will increase the company’s clinical supply capacity by 70%, by incorporating capabilities in cold chain operations, just-in-time processing and analytical testing. The capabilities are vital to support the development of advanced therapeutic medicinal products.
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The company is investing $65m in the expansion, which is a part of the $93.5m overall investment in the company’s Pennsylvania operations and facilities.
The project is being coordinated by the Pennsylvania Governor’s Action Team (GAT), the economic development team that assists businesses in the state.
The groundbreaking ceremony for the facility was held in August 2023, with completion set for 2025. The project is anticipated to create 355 new employment opportunities regionally by the last quarter of 2026.
Location
The facility will be expanded within Almac’s US headquarters campus situated at 25 Fretz Road, Montgomery County, Souderton.
Almac Group expansion details
The project will add a new building with an area of 115,000ft² (10,684m²) within the campus, bringing the headquarters footprint to a total of 340,000ft². It will enhance the company’s clinical supply operations in the area.
The facility will be dedicated to cold chain operations, including packaging, labelling and distribution of products, as well as the management of temperature-sensitive materials throughout the clinical trials.
The analytical testing process will be executed at the site for a diverse array of product types, including small molecules, peptides, biologics, conjugates, potent substances and controlled substances.
Almac’s just-in-time manufacturing solution, known as Almac Adapt™,will be implemented at the site. The solution is designed to offer sponsors a distinctive, flexible supply strategy that aims to address the growing complexities of clinical trials effectively.
Sustainability features
The new facility will be designed and constructed in line with the building research establishment environmental assessment method (BREEAM), a standard that evaluates the sustainability of the buildings.
Furthermore, in its commitment to achieving net-zero emissions by 2045, Almac’s new construction will adhere to the US Green Building Council’s Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) certification standards, which are aimed at creating healthy, efficient and cost-effective green buildings and also reduce carbon emissions.
Additional environmental protections, such as a 140ft pedestrian bridge, will be installed to not only reduce the environmental impact on the expanded campus but also to improve walkability for both workers and visitors.
Financing details
The company was offered a funding proposition of $1.77m by the Pennsylvania Department of Community and Economic Development via the Pennsylvania First grant and a $250,000 grant by the Workforce and Economic Development Network of Pennsylvania for developing the workforce.
Construction and timeline details
In June 2024, the topping-out ceremony took place for the expansion where a final major steel piece was erected on the site.
Contractors involved
Cyma Builders & Construction Managers, a construction company based in the US, serves as engineer and construction manager of the new facility.
Marketing commentary on Almac Group
Headquartered in Northern Ireland, Almac is a private company operating under the ownership of the McClay Foundation, a Northern Ireland-based charitable trust that supports healthcare businesses.
With a workforce of 7,500, Almac operates in 18 facilities around the world spread across Europe, North America and Asia.
Almac’s expertise includes a wide spectrum of services within the pharmaceutical sector, research and development, diagnostic services, the manufacture of active pharmaceutical ingredients (API), the development of formulations and the provision of clinical trial supply and technologies which extends to full-scale manufacturing and distribution capabilities.
