Penn has created the new high potency suite in response to growing demand for a number of new treatments, for example, cancer drugs, which require highly potent compounds.

Penn is a leading global developer and manufacturer for drugs and pharmaceuticals in clinical trial, and within this, highly potent compounds need special containment to avoid contamination and exposure by operators. This new facility has been designed and validated to allow fully-contained safe manufacture of such highly potent ingredients.

First Minister, Rhodri Morgan said: "Wales is now home to a thriving community of bioscience and pharmaceutical businesses and Penn Pharmaceuticals is leading the way in developing this internationally important sector for Wales. It is a great pleasure for me to be here today to open this new facility which will allow Penn to further develop the range of services they offer to other pharmaceutical companies and thereby grow the business and increase jobs."

Peter George, Chief Executive Officer of Penn Pharmaceuticals said, "Penn is delighted to welcome the First Minister to open our new high containment suite. As a leading Welsh pharmaceutical company, with strong global ambitions, these new facilities will enable us to expand further into key markets in the US, Asia and across Europe. Demand for high potency drug development is strong, and Penn is in a good position to develop these markets further."

The facility has been tested extensively to prove that the equipment and processes used provide effective containment. The facility can be used for the manufacture of most dosage forms including tablets, capsules and liquids.

Penn is a leading Welsh company that provides a range of fully integrated and cost effective pharmaceutical development and custom manufacturing services to the international health care industry. Penn’s services are designed to support drugs developed by pharmaceutical companies across the world as they progress through clinical trials to the market. This process can take around twelve years.

Penn is part of the Welsh Assembly Government’s ‘Knowledge Bank for Business’ and has received significant support through this initiative.