A BELFAST-based clinical research firm is creating 28 jobs as it seeks to add to its growing international customer base.
Fusion Antibodies is set to double its workforce in a strategic investment, which will more than double the company's existing laboratory and office space.
Fusion's antibody engineering technology assists in the development of novel biological molecules that are used as innovative drugs for human diseases including cancer, coeliac disease, chronic fungal infections and immunological indications.
Fusion Antibodies managing director, Paul Kerr believes the latest investment will help the company capitalise on new international business.
“The work to more than double the capacity of our laboratory and office space is expected to be completed by the end of the summer, ahead of our original schedule. The new employees will include technically skilled staff working to deliver our current services to biopharma companies," he said.
“We are also recruiting scientists with specialised skills to work in our new product development team on the establishment of our antibody affinity maturation service and the creation of a mammalian antibody library. In addition, our growth strategy, focussed on reinvigorating and expanding our new business development and sales function, will benefit from further resource in this area," Mr Kerr added.
Invest NI has offered Fusion Antibodies £213,000 towards its job creation and marketing activities and director of life sciences, Grainne McVeigh welcomed the company's expansion.
“This expansion is an exciting milestone for Fusion Antibodies which is among a dynamic group of companies contributing to our growing life and health sciences sector," she said.
"Invest NI has been working alongside the business for many years and we are delighted to be helping Fusion Antibodies to scale up its workforce and target market opportunities with drug development and diagnostics companies across the globe.”
