London’s pharmaceutical industry is about to expand. The city has attracted Mississauga-based manufacturer Pharmaline. It’s the latest addition to a growing sector of London industry based around pharmaceutical and medical manufacturers. “We have a really mature and robust industrial land development strategy, and we’ve got LEDC (London Economic Development Corporation) going out there and selling us to the world,” exclaimed London Mayor Josh Morgan. The company is described as a pharmaceutical and nutraceutical contract manufacturer. It plans to build a new 90,000 sq. ft. facility on five acres of land at London’s Innovation Park next to Veteran’s Parkway and Highway 401. London City Council approved the deal in a closed-door session Wednesday. “And at a time when the unemployment rate is high. At a time when we’re facing significant headwinds internationally, every single job we can create here in this community is a long-term, good-paying job that helps with that,” said Morgan. The LEDC says the facility will introduce advanced manufacturing technologies for tablets, capsules, powders, gummy, and softgel products. The facility is designed to support 300 products. LEDC President and CEO Kapil Lakhotia says up to 70 skilled jobs will be created. “This includes a lot of different occupations, in quality-control testing, R&D new product development. Because it’s a regulated environment, there’s a lot of attention to detail. A lot of different scientific work being done there,” he explained. Lakotia says the company’s decision to set up shop in London has to do, in part, with reducing reliance on imports, and strengthening the domestic supply chain. “Well that is certainly top of mind for this company, to increase its Made In Canada footprint,” he said. “And pharmaceutical companies are companies that aren’t going to go away. So, once they make an investment, they’re here for the long haul,” added Morgan. The value of investment by Pharmaline has not been released. Construction is expected to begin within the next year.
