Our History
In 1968, our late founder and Chairman, Sir Allen McClay, pursued his vision of one company making a substantial contribution to healthcare across the globe and began the journey of Almac. Today, Allen’s vision and legacy continues to live on through our valued employees. Our unique culture, passionate people and constant drive for innovative solutions is at the heart of what we do and makes Almac a very special organisation.
1968
Galen Ltd founded by Allen McClay
Galen Ltd was founded by Allen McClay who was inspired by the Greco-Roman doctor and father of modern medicine Claudius Galenus and his philosophy of experience through zealous research.
1978
Pharmaceutical Manufacturing commences in Craigavon, UK
1988
Clinical Trial Supply operations commence in Craigavon
1996
Expansion
- API Manufacturing and Chemical Development services established in Craigavon, UK
- Expansion to the US with Clinical Trial Supply operations commences in Audubon, PA, USA
1997
Galen Ltd floated on the stock market to become Galen Holdings Plc – Northern Ireland’s first £ billion company
1999
Purchase of ICTI later to become Almac Clinical Technologies
2000
Acquisitions
- Clinical Trial Supply business acquired from Duke University in Durham, NC, USA
- Galen acquires Warner Chilcott – restructure of organisation to Galen Pharma and Galen Services
2001
Allen McClay OBE, CBE announces his retirement from Galen Holdings
2002
Almac Group founded
The Almac Group was founded by Allen McClay OBE, CBE and Galen Holdings PLC announced that it had agreed to sell its API Manufacturing and Chemical Development, Clinical Trial Supply and Clinical Technologies businesses to Almac
2003
Almac Group opens its Global Headquarters in Craigavon, UK
- Almac Group opens its Global Headquarters in Craigavon, UK
- Almac Group acquires its Biomarker Discovery & Development business
- Almac Group announces the acquisition of Pharmaceutical Manufacturing operations from Galen Holdings Plc
2004
Acquisitions and purchases
- Almac Group acquires Peptide & Protein research facility in Elvingston, Scotland, UK
- Allen McClay OBE, CBE announces the purchase of Galen Ltd, the UK based Ethical Pharmaceutical Products Sales and Marketing business
2005
Almac Group opens dedicated facilities for GMP formulation development and biomarker discovery & development services
2006
Allen McClay OBE, CBE, becomes Sir Allen McClay when Prince Charles knights him at Buckingham Palace
2008
Investments and Discovery
- Almac Group invests $120M in its new North American Headquarters (NAHQ)
- Almac Discovery, an independent company focused exclusively on the discovery and development of novel and innovative approaches to the treatment of cancer is established
2010
On 12 January, just months before the NAHQ is completed, Sir Allen McClay passes away – However, his vision lives on through his work and the commitment of the Almac Group
2011
Almac Group opens its new North American Headquarter facility in Souderton, PA, USA
2013
New Facilities
- Almac Group opens its dedicated facility for Non-GMP formulation development.
- Almac Group opens its Commercial Packaging facility in Audubon, PA, USA
2014
Almac Group opens its new Asia Pacific Headquarter facility in Singapore
2015
Acquisitions
- Almac Group acquires Arran Chemical Company in Athlone, Ireland
- Almac Group confirms a £16 million investment to expand its Formulation and Analytical Development services to meet ongoing client demand in Loughborough, England
2016
Almac Group opens its new companion diagnostic development facility located in the Research Triangle region of North Carolina, USA
2017
Acquisition and expansion
- Almac Group acquires BioClin Laboratories in Athlone, Ireland
- Almac Group establishes European Campus in Dundalk, Ireland
2018
- Almac Group expands with opening of £20 million Cold Chain Facility at its Global HQ in Craigavon, UK
- Almac Group turnover surpasses £500 million for first time
- Almac Group celebrate 50 years
2019
Expansion
- Almac Group announces additional expansion of its Global Analytical Services Capability, investing significantly in additional laboratory space at its facility in Athlone, Ireland
- Almac Group opens MED-Lab exhibition in W5, Belfast, Northern Ireland
- Construction of Almac Group’s EU Campus in Dundalk, Ireland is complete
2020
- Galen, an Almac Company, announces Completion of Multi-Million Pound POA Pharma Acquisition
- Almac Group achieves zero landfill target
- 2018-19 Figures Show Almac Group’s Turnover Increased by £85M to £634M
- Almac Group Donates a Quarter of a Million Pounds to Global Charities in Wake of COVID-19
- Almac Group Welcomes COVID-19 Vaccine Trial News Announced by Pfizer & BioNTech
2021
- Almac Group Completes £5million Research & Development Centre
- Almac Group Awarded ISO Certification for Integrated Safety and Environment Management System
- Almac Group Announces Expansion into North West
- Almac Group’s Turnover Increases by £43M to £677M in 2020
- Almac Group’s Charnwood Site Achieves Globally Recognised Health & Safety and Environmental Management System Certifications
- Almac Group to Create 1,800 New Jobs Globally
2022
- Almac Group Actively recruiting in the North West
- Almac Group Announces £500,000 Investment in NMR Technology to Enhance Security, Flexibility, and Capacity in Analytical Services
- Almac Group launches fully funded degree apprenticeship programme Almac Accelerate
- Almac Group records highest ever revenue, profit and employee numbers as £200 million global expansion plans announced
- Almac Group to Create 355 Jobs and Invest $93.5 Million in Pennsylvania Expansion
2023
- Almac Appoints Global Energy Manager as Part of Ongoing Commitment to Net Zero Strategy
- Almac Group Reaches a Global Workforce of 7,000 as it Marks Most Successful Year Ever
- Almac Group Signs up to Science Based Targets initiative
- Almac Group Marks Groundbreaking of $65 million Facility Expansion in Montgomery County
2024
- Almac Group Signs Virtual Power Purchase Agreement (VPPA) for Renewable Energy – Reducing their Global Scope 2 Emissions by 46%
- Almac Group Expands Commercial Manufacturing and Packaging as well as Peptide Production Capacity