GlaxoSmithKline (GSK) has invested £70 million ($98.2 million) to expand antibiotic production at its facility in Irvine, North Ayrshire, Scotland. The expansion creates 55 new jobs.

The company will receive a Scottish Enterprise Regional Selective Assistance (RSA) grant of £1.5 million ($2.1 million) to extend its potassium clavulanate plant, which produces penicillin.

The Irvine facility has been expanded to meet the growing demand from the developing world and emerging markets for antibiotics and forms part of the company's total investment of more than £200 million ($281 million) between its sites in Irvine and Montrose since 2013.

Speaking at the opening of the new facility, Sir Andrew Witty, GSK CEO, said:”We're delighted to be opening a new facility in Scotland, where we have a long-standing commitment to manufacturing, which will continue in the near and distant future. The impact of this new facility will be felt here and abroad, with more antibiotics produced for people in countries where this sort of medicine is desperately needed.”

Source: Scottish Government