Rapid antigen tests provider Innova Medical Group has collaborated with Sharp Packaging to open its first Covid-19 test manufacturing facility in the UK.
The initial investment at the Rhymney facility in South Wales will help create up to 300 new jobs across the region.
The Rhymney facility, which will receive the initial packaging machinery by the end of June, will commence production in early July.
Innova Medical Group president and CEO Daniel Elliott said: “Innova understands the importance of speed in the fight against the pandemic and strategic contract manufacturing allows us to start local production quickly.
“By domestically sourcing as much of the processes as possible, we are confident this partnership with Sharp will deliver value to our UK customers. We look forward to the launch of Innova’s lateral flow test production in Wales and to expanding that into other markets and regions across the UK.”
With a potential to produce 1.2 million Covid-19 lateral flow tests per day, the new contract manufacturing facility will also see additional investments to further expand its production capacity.
The Rhymney facility is said to be one of the largest facilities of its kind, as well as the first to manufacture Innova’s lateral flow tests in the UK.
Sharp UK general manager Ian Morgan said: “We are delighted to collaborate with Innova to support the manufacturing of its Covid-19 lateral flow test kits, right here in the UK where they’ll be used.
“This important partnership not only allows us to expand our facility by a third but will add nearly 300 new jobs, providing much needed opportunities for our local community.”
In April this year, Innova Medical Group acquired US-based company Pacific PPE, which provides N95 and other face masks for personal protection.
