Drug group Almac hands JPR corporate and media relations brief

Almac Group is one of Northern Ireland’s largest exporters and is an international provider of drug development services with more than 600 companies worldwide. The group’s work ranges from research to pharmaceutical and clinical development to commercialisation of pharma products.

In March 2010, Almac appointed Bell Pottinger as its first international comms partner. Following the appointment of JPR, Bell Pottinger’s De Facto Communications will continue to work on international PR services for Almac, focusing on specialist pharma and biotech.

JPR won the retained account following a competitive pitch and will manage the company’s reputation in its home market of Northern Ireland. The account will be led by JPR managing director Jane Wells and former Belfast Telegraph and BBC journalist Andrea Clements.

Commenting on the appointment, Wells said: ‘Almac is a truly global success and one of Northern Ireland’s key corporates. There is a fantastic story to be told in Almac’s home market.’

Earlier this month, Almac announced an investment of £4.4 million in an academic business partnership with Queen’s University to help develop better tests for diagnosing and treating prostate, ovarian and breast cancer.

Founded in 1976, JPR is one of Northern Ireland’s longest established PR agencies offering media relations, public affairs and crisis comms management.