Service provider Almac has been recognized for its technological developments, scooping a top award at the recent Belfast Telegraph Northern Ireland Business Awards 2012, in association with British Midland International (BMI).

The pharmaceutical development company collected the Excellence in Technology award, naming it the best of Northern Ireland’s business community across 12 categories.

“Our unique technology is used in a range of applications from medicinal chemistry to the manufacture of specialist chemicals. It has enabled Almac to enter into complementary industries including flavour and fragrances and biofuel arenas,” said Stephen Barr, managing director of Almac’s sciences business unit.

Almac has developed new technology which sets it apart in a difficult chemical market under threat from Asia. Almac’s sciences business unit has set up a dedicated group for discovering and implementing effective processes for biocatalysis—enzymes which effect desired chemical transformations.

Almac is currently collaborating with institutions including Queen’s University Belfast and University College London in a bid to ultimately discover new catalysts with unique properties while providing industrial training opportunities for students and graduates.

 “Companies which adopt and embrace technology as an integral part of their business model tend to be those which drive growth and success. Each of the shortlisted companies in this category has demonstrated excellence in technology in their own way. However, for its use of new technology to fuel its growth and become a world leader in the pharmaceutical and biotechnology sectors, the panel concluded that Almac is this year’s worthy winner,” said Alastair Hamilton, chief executive of Invest NI, and a member of the Belfast Telegraph Business Awards judging panel.