Almac Group Uses HP Technology to Bring New Drugs to Market Faster

PALO ALTO, Calif., April 6, 2009 – HP today announced that the Almac Group, a global pharmaceutical services provider based in Ireland, has used HP software to reduce the time required to put new drugs through clinical trials.

In addition, Almac has implemented a replicated HP StorageWorks XP Disk Array solution, the first of its kind in Northern Ireland. The array provides Almac with a scalable data storage capacity that is expected to handle the demands of the business for at least the next five years.

Every drug under development must be scrutinized in a clinical trial, which requires customized software applications that go through a complex compliance and validation process before the trial can proceed. By using HP Quality Center software to automate the testing process for these applications, Almac has reduced the validation time by months, which means that drugs for cancer and other illnesses can get to patients faster.

“By using HP technology we help speed the move from innovation to clinical practice, resulting in significant market advantage and enhanced competitiveness for our customers across the world,” said Sir Allen McClay, chairman, Almac Group. “Our 15-year relationship with HP has extended far beyond hardware and software; we are engaging with people who can bring innovative technology solutions to science and produce something mutually beneficial.”

Almac has achieved full Pharmaceutical Validation for HP Quality Center software, enabling it to automate its approach to software validation and testing. Almac’s achievements in applying the technology in the pharmaceutical sector were recently showcased at a global ICT summit on software in Vienna, Austria.

“HP is helping Almac shorten the validation aspects of its software development while at the same time ensuring that it can meet manufacturing best practices globally,” said Martin Murphy, managing director, Northern Ireland, HP. “HP Quality Center software helps IT organizations save time and deliver applications that do exactly what the businesses need.”

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About Almac

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

The company has almost 2,400 employees and is headquartered in Craigavon, Northern Ireland. US operations are based in Pennsylvania, North Carolina and California. Construction of the company’s new $112m North American Headquarters started in July 08 and is expected to be completed 2010.

To find out more about Almac visit almacgroup.com or e-mail [email protected]. This news release contains forward-looking statements that involve risks, uncertainties and assumptions. If such risks or uncertainties materialize or such assumptions prove incorrect, the results of HP and its consolidated subsidiaries could differ materially from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements and assumptions. All statements other than statements of historical fact are statements that could be deemed forward-looking statements, including but not limited to statements of the plans, strategies and objectives of management for future operations; any statements concerning expected development, performance or market share relating to products and services; any statements regarding anticipated operational and financial results; any statements of expectation or belief; and any statements of assumptions underlying any of the foregoing. Risks, uncertainties and assumptions include macroeconomic and geopolitical trends and events; the execution and performance of contracts by HP and its customers, suppliers and partners; the achievement of expected operational and financial results; and other risks that are described in HP’s filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission, including but not limited to HP’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended October 31, 2008. HP assumes no obligation and does not intend to update these forward-looking statements.

© 2009 Hewlett-Packard Development Company, L.P. The information contained herein is subject to change without notice. The only warranties for HP products and services are set forth in the express warranty statements accompanying such products and services. Nothing herein should be construed as constituting an additional warranty. HP shall not be liable for technical or editorial errors or omissions contained herein.