Nicola Sturgeon has opened Piramal Healthcare’s new £2 million life science suite in Grangemouth, adding 20 high skilled jobs to the 33,000 already employed in the life sciences sector in Scotland.
The new section of the facility will produce antibody drugs conjugates, which are able to target damaged skin cells and are used in the treatment of various types of cancer.
The firm received a £200,000 Scottish Enterprise RSA grant towards the building of the facility, and they have agreed to sign up to the Scottish Government’s Business Pledge, which is a voluntary code designed to commit companies to adhere to ‘the best of modern business practices’.
Sturgeon said about the opening:
“We have a thriving research and innovation led Life Sciences sector and Piramal is seeing the benefit of that as they manufacture products that are involved in the treatment of various types of cancer.
“It’s also heartening to see that they share our view of inclusive growth also, and the commitment to their staff is exemplified by their commitment to the Scottish Business Pledge.
“At heart of our economic strategy is ensuring that we tackle inequality for the benefit of all of Scotland because a fairer society is a more productive and prosperous society.”
Piramal Healthcare site lead, Mark Wright, said:
“We have been growing our operations in Grangemouth since 2005 and currently employ around 140 people in predominantly highly skilled positions. We aim to scale up this facility in the next 5 years to maintain its position as a global leader in the production of Antibody Drug Conjugates.”
Lena Wilson, chief executive of Scottish Enterprise, added:
“I am delighted to see Piramal expanding in Scotland creating a world-class manufacturing facility that will address global healthcare needs. This is an excellent example of an inward investor that not only chose to locate in Scotland to further its growth, but is now re-investing in its site and staff.”
