Lancaster Labs to expand Microchem in Waterford

The acquisition of Microchem is a major step towards helping us realise our goal of becoming the premier provider of analytical services worldwide. We wanted to expand our laboratory services in Europe, and looked for a well established company with a strong reputation for quality and service and a culture that aligns with ours. We found that company in Microchem, whose current services complement ours and greatly expand our ability to provide scientific services to our global clients.

Timothy Oostdyk, Chief Operating Officer of Lancaster Laboratories

01/04/2008

Lancaster Laboratories
Acquisition of the Irish Laboratory will create 100 high level positions

Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment Micheál Martin TD today (Tuesday 1st April 2008) announced that Lancaster Laboratories, one of the largest commercial analytical laboratories in the US, is expanding its operation in Dungarvan, Co. Waterford. This investment follows Lancaster’s acquisition in 2007 of Microchem Labs, an Irish company. It will result in the creation of 100 new high level positions over the next five years, with the support of IDA Ireland. The majority of these positions will require people at PhD, Masters and graduate level.

Lancaster Labs is a leading provider of a comprehensive array of scientific and validation services required by the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA). Following the acquisition of Microchem in Dungarvan, which will also be known as Lancaster Laboratories Europe, it has greatly enhanced its ability to support the requirements of companies in Europe and Asia. The services currently offered by Microchem will compliment the pharmaceutical, biopharmaceutical, medical device and environmental testing services at Lancaster Laboratories. Lancaster Labs will market the services offered by the Irish laboratory, both to its existing clients with operations in Europe and to new European customers.

Minister Martin said, “This is excellent news for Dungarvan and for Microchem as it consolidates the long established company in the town for the foreseeable future, adds to and enhances the level of services it provides and creates new quality employment opportunities. It is a superb endorsement of the calibre and quality of the services which indigenous Irish companies now provide to international business. I congratulate the founders and owners of Microchem, Anita and Ciaran Geoghegan in their success in building the company to where it is today and the reputation it has earned. This, together with the commitment of the workforce, no doubt strongly contributed to Lancaster’s decision to choose the company”.

“This investment will add to the infrastructure required by IDA Ireland supported biotechnology clients, where the tendency is for companies to outsource an even greater portion of their testing requirements than those in the pharmaceutical sector. It will also increase Ireland’s attractiveness for future international investments where the activities require high-level testing and validation for approval by international regulatory and standards organisations, such as the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA)” the Minister concluded.

Timothy Oostdyk, Chief Operating Officer of Lancaster Laboratories said “The acquisition of Microchem is a major step towards helping us realise our goal of becoming the premier provider of analytical services worldwide. We wanted to expand our laboratory services in Europe, and looked for a well established company with a strong reputation for quality and service and a culture that aligns with ours. We found that company in Microchem, whose current services complement ours and greatly expand our ability to provide scientific services to our global clients.”

Microchem was established in 1986 in a 10 square metre premises at the owners’ home. It has grown to be one of Ireland’s leading independent test and research laboratories. It currently employs 100 people and offers microbiological, chemical and environmental analysis and quality validation services to the pharmaceutical, medical technologies, food and chemical industries in Europe and Asia. Microchem will now operate as Lancaster Laboratories Europe.

Lancaster Laboratories

Lancaster Laboratories, part of the Fisher BioPharma Services business of Thermo Fisher Scientific Inc. (NYSE: TMO), is a leading provider of outsourced testing services. Founded in 1961, it is one of the largest independent testing laboratories in the US. It has three principal services: outsourced pharmaceutical and biotechnology testing, environmental testing, and contract scientific staff. Its clients include the majority of the largest pharmaceutical companies in the world, as well as numerous small and mid sized pharmaceutical and biotechnology companies. Lancaster also serves a wide variety of petroleum, chemical, and industrial companies. Lancaster employs over 800 scientists, technicians, and support personnel.
For more information on Lancaster Laboratories, visit www.lancasterlabs.com.

Thermo Fisher Scientific Inc.

Thermo Fisher is the world leader in serving science, enabling our customers to make the world healthier, cleaner and safer. With annual revenues of $10 billion, we employ more than 30,000 people and serve over 350,000 customers within pharmaceutical and biotech companies, hospitals and clinical diagnostic labs, universities, research institutions and government agencies, as well as environmental and industrial process control settings. Visit www.thermofisher.com.

For further information:

Lancaster media contact –
Rosemary O’Donoghue, Corporate and Personnel Administrator. Tel: 353(0) 58 48300

Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment –
Press Office, Tel: 01- 6312200
Jerry O’Connor, Press Advisor, Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment, 087 6630338/016312200

IDA Ireland –
Ruth Croke, Press & PR Manager. Tel: 087 4195051 ruth.croke@ida.ie
Brendan Kenny, Press & PR Officer, Tel: 087 9036126