Almac has been recognised for its cutting edge technological developments, scooping a top award at the recent Belfast Telegraph Northern Ireland Business Awards 2012, in association with British Midland International (bmi).
The Craigavon-based pharmaceutical development company collected the Excellence in Technology award at a ceremony held at the Ramada Plaza Hotel, Shaw’s Bridge, Belfast to reward the best of Northern Ireland’s business community across 12 categories.
Almac has developed new technology that sets it apart in a difficult chemical market, which is under threat from Asia. Almac’s Sciences Business Unit has set up a dedicated group for discovering and implementing effective processes for biocatalysis – enzymes which effect desired chemical transformations.
The biocatalysis group has doubled since it was established in 2009 to become an integral part of the company. Almac’s growth in this area has been further enhanced by a £2.5m research and development investment and the subsequent launch of a biocatalyst technology platform, SelectAZyme brand.
Almac is currently collaborating with institutions, including Queen’s University Belfast and University College London, in a bid ultimately to discover new catalysts with unique properties while providing industrial training opportunities for students and graduates.
The Almac team collected the award from Scott Kennedy, a director and head of the Intellectual Property and Technology team at category sponsor Cleaver Fulton Rankin Solicitors.
‘Winning this award is recognition that we are at the forefront of technological advances in our field,’ said Stephen Barr, managing director of the Almac’s Sciences Business Unit. ‘Our unique technology is used in a range of applications from medicinal chemistry to the manufacture of specialist chemicals. It has enabled Almac to enter into complementary industries including flavour and fragrances and biofuel arenas.
‘It has a positive environmental impact as it promotes the use of green, renewable clean catalysis and helps lower costs, reduce waste and increase productivity.’
Alastair Hamilton, chief executive of Invest NI, and a member of the Belfast Telegraph Business Awards judging panel said: ‘Companies that adopt and embrace technology as an integral part of their business model tend to be those that drive growth and success. For its use of new technology to fuel its growth and become a world leader in the pharmaceutical and biotechnology sectors, the panel concluded that Almac is this year’s worthy winner.’
