Quay Pharmaceuticals sets up headquarters in Wales

Quay Pharmaceuticals is investing £2.7million in a new headquarters and manufacturing facility in North Wales where, with support from the Welsh Assembly Government, it will create 54 new high quality jobs.

Operations at the new site will include early stage research & development and clinical trials manufacturing for the global pharmaceutical and biotechnology industries.

The news was announced this week by Ieuan Wyn Jones, Minister for the Economy and Transport, who said a high percentage of the new jobs will be graduate and post graduate posts in research and development.

"I am delighted to welcome this investment in one of our key strategic industry sectors by a company that has established a global reputation and which is expanding to meet the on-going demand for its services.

"Quay Pharma is a welcome addition to the vibrant healthcare and bioscience sector we have in Wales which employs some 15,000 people and is worth around £1.3billion annually to the Welsh economy. I am pleased we have been able to provide support through the Single Investment Fund to facilitate the company’s expansion programme.

"Quay Pharma will be creating a range of high quality jobs over the next few years providing excellent employment opportunities for Welsh graduates."

The company has reached capacity at its split site on the Wirral and expanding and moving operations to Quay House, Parkway on the Deeside Industrial Park. At 3724 sq mt, the new facility is four times the size of their current premises. The move will safeguard 30 jobs.

Chief Executive Officer Mike Rubinstein said the range of support offered by the Assembly Government to small and medium sized businesses had made Wales an attractive proposition for Quay Pharma’s expansion.

"The support from the Assembly Government is great for a small company and of particular help in the current economic climate. Not only does it provide advice and access to knowledge but also provides businesses with a high level of promotional and marketing support at overseas events.

"We are operating in a growing market and now have the opportunity to take advantage of this. Our new premises will enable us to take on larger sale projects and manage contracts through to the final stage of clinical trials and we have every confidence our operation in Wales will have a long and secure future."

The company is currently fitting out laboratories and offices with the aim of opening in January. The manufacturing operation is due to relocate during the first quarter of next year.

Quay Pharma was established in 2001 by Prof. Rubinstein, a former Director of the School of Pharmacy and Chemistry at Liverpool John Moores University who has more than thirty years experience in the field.