Abbott expands in Kent
6 Nov 2003
US pharmaceutical major Abbott Laboratories has announced plans to build a £39million biotechnology facility at its Murex manufacturing plant in Dartford, Kent.
The new plant, which will make diagnostic products, will employ 125 people, some 80% of whom will be in scientific and technological roles.
The Murex plant already makes diagnostics for blood and infectious diseases such as HIV and hepatitis. The expansion will handle the initial stages of manufacture for 63 additional products, which will be used in tests for cancer, thyroid, hepatitis/retrovirus, cardiovascular, pregnancy/fertility, metabolic diseases and conditions relating to transplants. The plant will use automated biotechnology manufacturing processes, including remote system monitoring.
This existing expertise was the major factor behind Abbott's decision for the site of the new plant. 'Abbott decided to further increase its investment in the Murex facility to take advantage of its established and proven skill base,' says Luis Iglesias, General Manager of Abbott Diagnostics Division.
The investment is part of a major move into Europe for Abbott, which bought BASF's pharmaceuticals division, Knoll, in 2001. It is pumping £230million into expanding diagnostics in Europe, creating 1200 new jobs. This will take its total European workforce to 14,000, of which over 3000 will be in the UK.
