Randox Teo today announced that it is to invest a further €0.5m as it expands its R&D facility in An Clochán Liath, with the promise of almost 90 new jobs over the next two years.
The investment is with the support of Údarás na Gaeltachta through the national Research & Development & Innovation scheme.
Randox Teo’s strategy is driven by the need to provide the market with high quality, fast and informative diagnostic data to enable early identification of diseases which will in turn assist practitioners in caring for patients in the short to long term.
This particular investment will focus on the development of new technologies for multiplex testing for kidney disease, Alzheimer’s disease and lung cancers.
Speaking to the Board of Údarás na Gaeltachta today who were visiting the facility, Dr. Peter Fitzgerald, owner and MD of Randox Holdings Ltd said, “This investment is another step towards establishing a world class diagnostic research and development centre in An Clochán Liath. We aim to develop new and improved technology used to aid in the diagnosis of cancer and other human diseases, and bring these products to market from this facility.”
The company currently employs 42 people in an Clochán Liath and expects to increase its employment to 130 by the end of 2015.
Anna Ní Ghallachair, Chairperson of Údarás na Gaeltachta stated “This investment helps to copper-fasten the future development of this enterprise in An Clochán Liath. It’s encouraging to see the high quality of employment that is provided to local people by this company and this new investments is a move towards the creation further good quality jobs in manufacturing, engineering, research and development, and marketing.”
The Minister of State at the Department of Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht, Dinny McGinley, T.D., who was also present, welcomed the investment and commended Údarás na Gaeltachta on its continuous work with Randox and this development in An Clochán Liath.
Pat the Cope Gallagher said: “The decision by Randox to further invest in the Dungloe plant represents a massive vote of confidence in the workforce and general area. The creation of these further jobs will bring significant economic and social benefits to Dungloe and West Donegal. This investment highlights the total commitment of Randox to the Dungloe plant which plays a central role in world class diagnostic research carried out by Randox.”
Pat the Cope has been working closely with Randox Teo since his time as Minister for Health Promotion and has continued his close collaboration with Randox as an MEP facilitating high level engagement with the EU Institutions on “Horizon 2020″ which is the European Union’s research and development programme worth approximately EUR 70 billion for the period 2014 to 2020.
“Randox is highly respected within the European Institutions and they recently made an important presentation to Members of the European Parliament during a recent visit to Brussels by their senior executives led by Dr. Peter Fitzgerald”, confirmed Pat the Cope.
“Their continued investment in Dungloe will have major benefits for the area, in particular for the many employed over the years” concluded Pat the Cope.