Expanded antibiotics facility opened in Irvine by First Minister Nicola Sturgeon and Sir Andrew Witty CEO GSK
· New expansion part of Scottish investment of more than £200 million over past three years
The Rt. Hon Nicola Sturgeon, First Minister of Scotland, and Sir Andrew Witty, GSK's CEO will today (Monday) open an expansion to GSK's antibiotics facility in Irvine, which will create capacity to make antibiotics for an additional 100 million patients every year.
The facility has been expanded to meet the growing demand from the developing world and emerging markets for antibiotics and will allow GSK to increase its supply of its well-established portfolio of antibiotics.
GSK previously announced £125M investments[1] in Scotland between the company's Irvine and Montrose sites since 2013 to introduce renewable technologies, meet increasing global demand of existing products and support the company's pipeline of new medicines. This total investment has created over 100 jobs and demonstrates GSK's confidence in and commitment to Scotland.
The new antibiotics facility in Irvine has been developed as part of this previously announced investment, and part of an additional £80M from GSK over the last three years in its Scottish plants – the figure for this additional investment is being announced for the first time today.
Sir Andrew Witty, GSK CEO, said: "We're delighted to be opening a new facility in Scotland, where we have a long-standing commitment to manufacturing. The impact of this new facility will be felt here and abroad, with more antibiotics produced for people in countries where this sort of medicine is desperately needed."
First Minister Nicola Sturgeon said: "The life sciences sector showcases Scotland's research and manufacturing excellence and enhances our global reputation. GSK is a great example of an innovative company expanding its presence and creating jobs in Irvine and Montrose.
"Their continued investment across all their sites in Scotland is a testament to the skill of the Scottish workforce and illustrates the confidence this international company has in our small country."
GSK is also today announcing a donation to the BodyWorks exhibition at the Glasgow Science Centre – an interactive exhibition designed to inspire young people to learn about the human body. The £500,000 donation will allow the centre to continue to run the "BodyWorks on Tour" exhibition for another three years.
Dr Stephen Breslin, Chief Executive Officer of Glasgow Science Centre, said: "Our goal with Bodyworks is to provide the essential information to enable people to make better lifestyle choices and as a result go on to lead healthier, happier lives. The continued support from GSK enables us to take these messages to many hundreds of thousands of children and adults in their schools and communities, the length and breadth of the country."
ENDS
Notes to Editor
The expansion to the Irvine facility has cost £70 million, which has partly come from previously announced investments and partly from a new investment across GSK's Scottish sites, which is being announced today (Monday).
About GSK in Scotland
· GSK has two manufacturing sites in Scotland, Irvine and Montrose – where every day they make enough medicine in Scotland to serve over 20m people across the World
· GSK employs 1,018 staff in Scotland and up to 600 contractors
· GSK contributes £87million to the Scottish economy every year
· Between 2013-15 GSK invested £20.1m on renewable energy in Scotland
· Working on 39 university research collaborations and 5 NHS collaborations
· Helping to inspire the next generation of scientists, GSK has over 50 STEM ambassadors across Scotland actively engaging with young people in education
· Since 1997, GSK has donated over £2.1m to the Bodyworks Exhibition.
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