Almac Discovery
Almac Discovery is the drug discovery arm of privately held Almac Group, developing first-in-class preclinical therapeutics and out-licensing programmes such as ALM-401. It operates within a broader integrated CDMO and precision medicine services platform serving top global biopharma clients.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded1970
- HeadquartersBelfast, United Kingdom
- Headcount5,001–10,000
- GTM typeB2B
- OfferingServices
What Almac Discovery does
Almac Discovery is the research-driven drug discovery subsidiary of Almac Group, a privately held pharmaceutical services organisation founded circa 1970 by Sir Allen McClay in Craigavon, Northern Ireland. The Discovery unit focuses on developing first-in-class preclinical-stage therapeutic assets, with ALM-401 — a first-in-class EGFRxROR1 bispecific antibody drug conjugate — representing its lead programme, which was out-licensed globally to Formosa Pharmaceuticals in May 2025. Almac Discovery is one of four core operating subsidiaries within Almac Group, alongside Almac Diagnostic Services (the group's precision medicine and CDx development arm), Almac Clinical Services/Technologies, Almac Pharma Services, and Almac Sciences. The broader Almac Group generated £1.1 billion in revenue in FY2024/25, up from over £1 billion the prior year, with a 16% profit increase, and operates 18 facilities across Europe, North America, and Asia with 7,900+ employees.
Almac's commercial platform spans the full drug development lifecycle, with revenue generated primarily through fee-for-service contracts with global biopharma clients. Core offerings include API and chemical development, pharmaceutical formulation, clinical trial supply and IXRS3 interactive response technology, commercial manufacturing, and an integrated diagnostic services business covering genomic services, clinical biomarker development, companion diagnostic (CDx) development and manufacturing, and global clinical trial testing. Diagnostic and biomarker operations are anchored in CLIA, CAP, and ISO15189-accredited laboratories in the UK (Craigavon) and US (Durham, NC), with additional capacity in Asia. Proprietary technology includes the claraT bioinformatics report (a Hallmarks of Cancer-based gene expression classifier), the DDIR/Angio/EMT/Prostate Dx/ColDx R&D assay portfolio, the PNPLA3 Genotyping Kit for MASH/MASLD research, the IXRS3 IRT platform, the Almac Trial Coordinator eClinical suite, and the Almac Gateway client portal. Almac claims involvement in approximately 50% of approved NMEs over the last six years and works with all top 25 global BioPharma companies.
The go-to-market model is direct enterprise sales with regional business development teams in the UK, US (Boston, Souderton, Durham), and Asia Pacific (Singapore, Tokyo, China partner lab), supported by scientific conference presence, thought-leadership content, and bespoke client data integrations. The Northern Ireland headquarters provides a distinctive post-Brexit regulatory position with access to both EU and UK markets under the Windsor Framework, including IVDR Article 5(5) Health Institution status. Strategic positioning combines a one-stop-shop integrated CDMO+diagnostics model with platform-agnostic flexibility (no exclusive vendor lock-in) and dedicated PhD-qualified project management per client programme, differentiating from both specialised CROs and large full-service CDMOs.
Almac Discovery firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Almac Discovery
- Legal name
- Almac Group
- Website
- https://almacgroup.com
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 1970
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 5,001–10,000 employees
- Short description
- Almac Discovery is the drug discovery arm of privately held Almac Group, developing first-in-class preclinical therapeutics and out-licensing programmes such as ALM-401. It operates within a broader integrated CDMO and precision medicine services platform serving top global biopharma clients.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Almac Discovery industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Drug Discovery and Pharmaceutical Services
- NAICS
- Research and Development in Biotechnology (except Nanobiotechnology) (541714), Scientific Research and Development Services (5417), Medical Laboratories (621511), Medical and Diagnostic Laboratories (62151)
- SIC
- Pharmaceutical Preparations (2834), Services-Commercial Physical & Biological Research (8731), In Vitro & In Vivo Diagnostic Substances (2835), Services-Medical Laboratories (8071)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Antibody Discovery & Engineering Platforms (display tech, bispecifics, Fc engineering) (HLAAAIAB)
- akta.pro secondary industries
- Drug Discovery (Target ID/Validation & Hit Discovery) (HLAIALAA), Companion Diagnostics (CDx) & Therapy Selection Assays (HLAAALAF), Biomarker Discovery & Validation (omics, assay feasibility, clinical validation) (HLAAAMAA)
Keywords
Where Almac Discovery is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Belfast
- HQ country
- United Kingdom
- HQ region
- Europe
Offices7 records
Markets served
Almac Discovery business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Personnel, Technology or R&D, Operations, Infrastructure, Supply Chain, Marketing or Sales
Revenue model
- Contract Research Services (Fee for Service): Almac operates as a fee-for-service Contract Development and Manufacturing Organisation (CDMO), providing services across the drug development lifecycle including API manufacture, formulation development, clinical trial supply, diagnostic services, and commercial-scale manufacturing. Revenue is generated through project-based contracts with biopharma clients.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Other | Multi-year contract | Project-specific fee for service model |
Go-to-market motion1 record
Distribution channels1 record
Marketing channels5 records
Almac Discovery product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Almac Discovery is the drug discovery research arm of the Almac Group, developing first-in-class preclinical therapeutic assets such as ALM-401, a first-in-class EGFRxROR1 bispecific antibody drug conjugate out-licensed to Formosa Pharmaceuticals. Through affiliated operations, the broader group provides fee-for-service biomarker discovery, companion diagnostic (CDx) development, global clinical trial testing, genomic services, and contract development and manufacturing (CDMO) services for biopharma clients.
Product overview
Almac Discovery is a research-driven drug discovery company dedicated to developing novel and innovative therapeutics using cutting-edge research techniques for First-in-Class preclinical stage assets. The broader Almac Group provides integrated pharmaceutical services across the drug development lifecycle. Almac Discovery's key product is ALM-401 (EGFRxROR1 bispecific ADC), licensed to Formosa Pharmaceuticals. The Diagnostic Services division offers genomic services, clinical biomarker & CDx development, and clinical testing. The company's technology platforms include claraT (gene expression reporting), LIMS (laboratory information management), Clinical Trial Dashboard, and Almac Gateway portal. Supporting services span API/chemical development, pharmaceutical development, analytical services, clinical services, clinical technologies (IXRS3, eCOA, eConsent), and commercial manufacturing services. The company operates CLIA/CAP/ISO15189 accredited global laboratories and holds multiple regulatory certifications including ISO13485, FDA, MHRA, and IVDR compliance.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Products and services
- ALM-401 First-in-class EGFRxROR1 bispecific antibody drug conjugate (ADC) developed by Almac Discovery and globally licensed to Formosa Pharmaceuticals for development and commercialisation as a novel oncology therapeutic.
- claraT Report Bioinformatics-driven gene expression classification solution that processes raw gene expression data and classifies biologically relevant gene expression signatures into comprehensive, easy-to-interpret reports using the Hallmarks of Cancer framework. Delivered with interactive dashboard functionality and 16 new gene expression signatures.
- Genomic Services Range of genomic services including high-throughput DNA and RNA sequencing from multiple platforms, specialty central lab service, and data analysis solutions for biopharma clients.
- Clinical Biomarker and CDx Development Custom clinical biomarker and companion diagnostics (CDx) development, validation and delivery from CLIA and CAP accredited laboratories in the USA, Europe and APAC.
- Global Clinical Trial Testing Global clinical trial testing service from clinical laboratories with a menu of platforms and assays and an integrated specimen collection and logistics service.
- Companion Diagnostics (CDx) End-to-end companion diagnostic development including design control, assay development, validation, manufacturing (ssPMA and IVD kits), regulatory submissions and commercialisation support.
- CDx Manufacturing Manufacturing of ssPMA lab developed tests and IVD kits with FDA engagement, process validation and CE-marking capabilities.
- Clinical Trial Specimen Collection and Logistics Service End-to-end clinical trial specimen collection kit manufacturing, clinical trial material bulk kit supply and global logistics management across 150+ programmes and 500+ clinical sites.
- Specialty Central Lab Service Premium white-glove specialty central lab service with end-to-end sample management, specimen processing, storage and downstream molecular analysis.
- Almac PNPLA3 Genotyping Kit Qualitative PCR-based genotyping kit for identification of the I148M (rs738409) genotype within the PNPLA3 gene, used in MASH/MASLD liver disease research and clinical trials.
- PNPLA3/HSD17B13 Clinical Trial Assays qPCR genotyping clinical trial assays for PNPLA3 and HSD17B13 genes to determine molecular eligibility for MASH/MASLD clinical trials.
- DDIR (DNA Damage Immune Response) Assay Almac proprietary R&D assay for DNA damage immune response biomarker analysis, used to support clinical trial biomarker programmes.
- Angio Assay Almac proprietary R&D assay for angiogenesis biomarker analysis.
- EMT (Epithelial-Mesenchymal Transition) Assay Almac proprietary R&D assay for epithelial-mesenchymal transition biomarker analysis.
- Prostate Dx Almac proprietary R&D diagnostic assay for prostate cancer.
- ColDx Almac proprietary R&D diagnostic assay for colorectal cancer.
- WES MSI/TMB Scoring Whole Exome Sequencing-based Microsatellite Instability and Tumor Mutational Burden scoring assays for oncology clinical trial programmes.
- API Services and Chemical Development Services for all stages of drug development for small molecules and peptides, including API manufacturing, 14C radiolabelling, biocatalysis, peptide synthesis and flow chemistry.
- Pharmaceutical Development Expert development and manufacturing solutions for all phases of clinical trials, including oral dose formulations and bioavailability enhancement.
- Analytical and Solid State Services Comprehensive solutions to support drug substance and drug product development including method development, release testing, stability testing and solid-state analysis.
- Clinical Services Comprehensive global clinical supply chain solutions including clinical trial supply, supply chain solutions, client services and patient-focused services.
- Clinical Technologies Clinical trial technology solutions including IXRS3 IRT, eCOA, eConsent, visit management and biostatistics consulting.
- Commercial Services Commercial manufacturing, packaging, distribution and product launch services for solid oral dosage forms.
- Almac Gateway Online portal providing access to multiple Almac services including My Dashboard, My Clinical Supplies, TempEZ, Label Approval System, Depot Network and Pharma POP.
- IXRS3 Interactive Response Technology Highly configurable Interactive Response Technology (IRT) platform for clinical trials with IRT Boosters including ART, OVERSIGHT and Decentralised Clinical Trial (DCT) support.
- Almac Trial Coordinator Integrated eClinical technology platform combining Interactive Response Technology (IRT), electronic Clinical Outcome Assessment (eCOA), electronic Consent (eConsent) and Visit Management into one unified system for clinical trials.
- Single Cell Sequencing Service Single cell sequencing laboratory service offered by Almac Diagnostic Services to support biopharma research and clinical trial biomarker programmes.
Quantifiable outcome
- Revenue of £1.1 billion with 16% profit increase
- +5 more outcomes
Companies that use Almac Discovery
Customer profileNamed customers12 records
Segments4 records
Ideal customer profiles4 records
Almac Discovery technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed Yes
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Integration2 records
AI capability5 records
Feature9 records
Almac Discovery partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
17 partnerships are on record, tiered flagship, core and minor.
- Formosa PharmaceuticalsflagshipGlobal licensing agreement for ALM-401, a first-in-class EGFRxROR1 bispecific antibody drug conjugate. Almac Discovery and Formosa Pharmaceuticals partnership covers global development and commercialisation of this novel therapeutic asset.
- Future Medicines InstitutecoreKey partnership for advancing biomarker research and precision medicine development in clinical trials.
- EORTC (European Organisation for Research and Treatment of Cancer)coreCollaboration for tumour molecular profiling - establishing Almac Diagnostic Services as a reference laboratory for EORTC clinical studies, supporting standardised molecular profiling across European cancer clinical trials.
- AstraZenecacoreLong-standing partnership for biomarker-driven clinical trials and companion diagnostic development across multiple therapeutic areas including chronic diseases.
- Boehringer IngelheimcorePrecision medicine collaboration for clinical biomarker programmes.
- JanssencoreClinical biomarker and CDx development services for oncology and chronic disease programmes.
- EisaicoreGenomic services partnership for clinical trial support.
- Chiesi (Turning Point)coreOncology clinical trial biomarker and diagnostic services.
- Corvus PharmaceuticalsminorClinical trial biomarker services for immuno-oncology programmes.
- OSE ImmunotherapeuticsminorCompanion diagnostic development for immunotherapy clinical trials.
- Puma BiotechnologycoreCDx development and validation for oncology drug candidate.
- NucanaminorBiomarker discovery and genomic analysis services.
- PredictImmuneminorCompanion diagnostic development partnership.
- CellCentricminorBiomarker programme collaboration.
- BerGenBiominorClinical trial assay development for AXL inhibitor programmes.
- IlluminacorePlatform partnership for TruSight Oncology 500 HRD and TruSight Oncology 500 ctDNA panel testing.
- nanoStringcorePlatform partnership for Tumor Inflammation Signature (TIS), PAM50 Breast Cancer Subtyping, and Lymphoma Subtyping tests.
Scale indicators8 records
Recent moves6 records
Expansion highlights7 records
Almac Discovery competitors and assessment
Company assessmentBroad incumbents
- IQVIA: IQVIA is the largest global CRO with extensive clinical lab, biomarker, and real-world data capabilities. It directly competes with Almac's CDMO and diagnostic services franchises, particularly in clinical trial testing and bioanalytical services.
- Labcorp (Covance): Labcorp's Covance drug development arm combines central laboratory services with clinical research offerings, directly overlapping with Almac's clinical trial testing, biomarker, and CDx services for biopharma.
- Charles River Laboratories: Charles River provides discovery, preclinical, and CDMO/biologics services. Its discovery and safety assessment businesses directly overlap with Almac Discovery's preclinical research and Almac Group's broader CRO/CDMO services.
- Lonza Group: Lonza is the world's largest CDMO with biologics, small molecule, and cell & gene therapy services. It directly competes with Almac's API manufacture, pharmaceutical development, and gene therapy support offerings.
- Catalent: Catalent provides drug development, delivery, and commercial manufacturing services, with strong biologics and cell therapy capabilities. It overlaps meaningfully with Almac's pharmaceutical development and clinical supply services.
- Eurofins Scientific: Eurofins is a global testing services group with pharma services, genomic, and biomarker capabilities. It competes with Almac in clinical trial laboratory testing, genomic services, and biomarker assay development.
- WuXi AppTec: WuXi AppTec is a leading global CRO/CDMO with discovery, preclinical, and clinical services. Its discovery biology, bioanalytical, and biologics manufacturing capabilities make it a direct comparator to Almac Discovery and Almac Sciences.
Direct peers
- ICON plc: ICON is a top-tier global CRO with significant biomarker and central lab capabilities post-PRA Health and Symphony integrations. It is a like-for-like CRO/CDMO competitor to Almac for biotech and biopharma clients.
Emerging players
- Bio-Techne: Bio-Techne provides high-quality reagents, assays, and proteomic/genomic tools widely used in biomarker research. It overlaps with Almac's biomarker assay portfolio (e.g., DDIR, Angio, EMT) and serves a similar translational research customer base.
- SOPHiA Genetics: SOPHiA Genetics offers an AI-driven genomics platform for clinical and research applications, including homologous recombination deficiency (HRD) analysis. Almac is a validated platform partner, making SOPHiA a directly comparable bioinformatics/CDx peer.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat6 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
Almac Discovery social profiles
Digital presenceAlmac Discovery compliance and trust
Trust signalCompliance16 records
Almac Discovery financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Almac Discovery leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles1 record
Almac Discovery subsidiaries and ownership
Company hierarchySubsidiaries4 records
Almac Discovery funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds1 record
Investors1 record
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Almac Discovery M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about Almac Discovery
What does Almac Discovery do?
Almac Discovery is the drug discovery research arm of the Almac Group, developing first-in-class preclinical therapeutic assets such as ALM-401, a first-in-class EGFRxROR1 bispecific antibody drug conjugate out-licensed to Formosa Pharmaceuticals. Through affiliated operations, the broader group provides fee-for-service biomarker discovery, companion diagnostic (CDx) development, global clinical trial testing, genomic services, and contract development and manufacturing (CDMO) services for biopharma clients.
Is Almac Discovery a public or private company?
Almac Discovery is a private company. It is classified as family owned and is currently operating.
When was Almac Discovery founded?
Almac Discovery was founded in 1970. It employs 5,001 to 10,000 people.
Where is Almac Discovery based?
Almac Discovery is headquartered in Belfast, United Kingdom, in the Europe region.
How does Almac Discovery make money?
One revenue line is on record: contract Research Services (Fee for Service).
Who are Almac Discovery's main competitors?
Broad incumbents on record are IQVIA, Labcorp (Covance), Charles River Laboratories, Lonza Group, Catalent, Eurofins Scientific and WuXi AppTec. ICON plc is listed as a direct peer. Emerging players are Bio-Techne and SOPHiA Genetics.
Does Almac Discovery have an API?
No public API is recorded for Almac Discovery.
What industry is Almac Discovery in?
Almac Discovery's product category is Drug Discovery and Pharmaceutical Services. Its primary akta.pro industry code is HLAAAIAB, Antibody Discovery & Engineering Platforms (display tech, bispecifics, Fc engineering), with a secondary code of HLAIALAA, Drug Discovery (Target ID/Validation & Hit Discovery). Its NAICS code is 541714 and its SIC code is 2834.