Two expansions by companies in Northern Ireland could deliver a 100 job boost for the local economy.

Almac, the privately owned pharmaceutical group, is to expand its drug product pharmaceutical development services at its Craigavon headquarters, which could create up to 60 new jobs.

The Northern Ireland company plans to create a new facility that will include two new analytical laboratories. This will double Almac’s current pharmaceutical development capacity, which the company said will allow it to meet growing demand for its services, both from existing customers and new clients.

Almac’s new facility will enable the company to focus on the development of tablets and capsules for new drugs that are in the early stages of development.

Major employer

Almac, established in 2001 by the late Allen McClay, employs more than 3,300 people in Northern Ireland and the United States, where its North American headquarters are in Souderton, Pennsylvania.

Meanwhile the US-headquartered legal firm, Axiom, which first established an office in Belfast last March, has also announced further investment plans.

It intends to expand its centre of excellence in Belfast and open new regional headquarters in Northern Ireland.

Axiom said it “plans to hire in the order of 30 to 40 additional attorneys, paralegals and other professional staff within the next several months”.

The company also said “further growth in terms of new hires and real estate is expected into 2014”.