Pharmaceutical jobs are secured

The jobs of more than 140 staff at a Northumberland pharmaceutical site have been secured by a management buyout.

The multi-million pound deal is for the takeover of BASF's Pharma Active Ingredients site, in Cramlington, by Aesica Pharmaceuticals Ltd.

The new management has confirmed that the jobs of the staff employed at the site are secure.

Aesica says it is now planning a programme of future investment at the Northumberland site.

BASF plc managing director Torben Berlin Jensen said: "BASF has been committed to achieving the best solution for all the stakeholders in the Cramlington site and I'm confident that the management buyout represents a successful conclusion.

"I would like to take this opportunity to thank all of the Cramlington employees for their loyal service and to wish them every success in this new venture."

Skilled workers

There has been recent investment in the site including a new technical centre and the expansion of existing manufacturing facilities.

Aesica says there will be further expansion of the site's production facility.

Managing director Robert Hardy said: "This is a great opportunity to build a global pharmaceutical company with roots in the North East of England.

"Aesica is founded on the strong foundations of over 30 years of pharmaceutical manufacturing expertise and will continue to grow with continuing support from our committed workforce."

Alan Clarke, chief executive of regional development agency One NorthEast, said: "The management buyout at the plant has safeguarded valuable, skilled jobs for south-east Northumberland and the North East as a whole.

"Retaining such skilled workers, chemists and engineers at the Cramlington plant is a massive boost and contributes to the North East's drive to create a knowledge-based economy."