LEWISBERRY, PA--(Marketwire - October 23, 2009) - Unilife Medical Solutions Limited ("Unilife"
or "the Company") (ASX: UNI) (PINKSHEETS: UNIFF) today announced it has
accepted a US$5.2 million offer of assistance from the Commonwealth of
Pennsylvania to support the creation of 241 new jobs within York County.
The offer of assistance from the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania accepted by
Unilife includes access to the following programs:
-- An award of US$2 million for the development of a new facility in
South-Central Pennsylvania under the Redevelopment Assistance Capital
Program (RACP);
-- Up to US$2 million in low-interest financing loans for land and
building acquisition and construction costs from the Pennsylvania
Industrial Development Authority (PIDA);
-- A US$500,000 Opportunity Grant, which may be used for any eligible
costs associated with a company project;
-- US$482,000 in Job Creation Tax Credits for the creation of 241 highly-
skilled jobs by 2013, which can be applied to the Company's Pennsylvania
Corporate Net Income Tax obligations; and
-- US$200,000 in Customised Job Training Grants, which reimburse 75% of
eligible costs associated with advanced level training for new or existing
employees.
These funds will be used to support Unilife's establishment as a US-based
global leader in the design, development and supply of innovative safety
medical devices for use within US and international pharmaceutical and
healthcare markets. Over the last 12 months, Unilife has moved toward this
goal by relocating key commercial and operational functions from Australia
to its FDA-registered manufacturing facilities in Lewisberry, Pennsylvania.
The Company has effectively doubled its size during this period with 87
staff now employed at its Lewisberry facility.
The Company recently announced steps to further accelerate its rate of
business expansion within the United States, and, in particular, Central
Pennsylvania. These expansion plans include the proposed redomiciliation of
Unilife from Australia to the United States, listing of the Company on
NASDAQ and the establishment of a major new global headquarters and
manufacturing facility within Central Pennsylvania, which is evolving as a
global centre for pharmaceutical and medical device development.
The RACP and PIDA funds committed from the Commonwealth will be used to
develop the new Unilife facility in York County, Pennsylvania. The facility
will support anticipated demand from pharmaceutical companies and other
healthcare industry leaders for Unilife's range of ready-to-fill and
clinical safety syringes, with production capacity of the ready-to-fill
syringe expected to exceed 450 million units per year beyond 2014.
The 241 positions expected to be created at the facility will help drive
this business expansion, and include a range of highly-skilled roles
including the production, validation, marketing and supply of Unilife's
current and pipeline products. Further information on the development of
this new facility will be released by the Company upon the signing of the
formal agreements with the selected developer.
Should the Pennsylvania General Assembly not pass a new Capital Budget
Itemization Act by December 31, 2009, the US$2 million RACP award will be
replaced by the provision of US$2 million over 10 years for business
renovations under the Infrastructure and Facilities Improvement Program
(IFIP).
Comments by Commonwealth of Pennsylvania Governor Ed Rendell
"Unilife's decision to expand its operations in York County is further
proof that we can grow our economy and create good jobs and opportunities
for our people if we're willing to invest in ourselves," said Governor
Rendell. "Having a dynamic company of Unilife's caliber choose to locate
their headquarters reflects well on our efforts and on the workforce in
York County. It also illustrates the value in building partnerships and
relationships outside of the U.S."
Comments by Unilife CEO Alan Shortall
Unilife's CEO, Alan Shortall, stated, "We are very pleased that the
Commonwealth of Pennsylvania has chosen to offer Unilife this significant
funding package that will help stimulate high-tech job creation and local
investment during such challenging economic times. It is clear to me that
the Pennsylvania government shares Unilife's vision, and has confidence in
our ability to continue to deliver upon our business objectives and help
the many millions of healthcare professionals and self-injecting
individuals currently at risk of needlestick injuries and the blood borne
viruses they can transmit.
"As an emerging global leader for innovative safety medical devices, we are
committed to helping enhance the international credentials of Pennsylvania
as a place for pharmaceutical and healthcare companies to do business.
"The funding program will help defray the initial costs and cash outlays
required for the acquisition of our new facility and the automated
production lines necessary to manufacture our products. We are fortunate to
be working with a Government that displays the leadership and
forward-thinking needed to support companies such as Unilife who are
expanding their operations within Pennsylvania and providing vital job
opportunities for highly-skilled individuals."
About Unilife
Unilife Medical Solutions Ltd is an ISO 13485 certified company that
designs, develops and supplies innovative safety medical devices. Listed on
the Australian Securities Exchange (ASX: UNI) since 2002, Unilife has
FDA-registered manufacturing facilities in the US State of Pennsylvania and
a proprietary portfolio of clinical and prefilled safety syringes designed
for use within healthcare and pharmaceutical markets.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION PLEASE CONTACT:
Shareholder / Analyst Enquiries:
Australia
Jeff Carter
Phone: + 61 2 8346 6500
United States
Stuart Fine
Phone: + 1 908 469 1788