Pharmaceutical firm Norgine to grow Hengoed facility as government promotes global trade push

A £23 MILLION investment in pharmaceutical manufacturing in South Wales is set to create 44 new jobs and expand production of essential medicines.

The investment will see European pharmaceutical company Norgine increase warehousing and production capacity at its manufacturing facility in Hengoed, Caerphilly.

The expansion was announced on Thursday (Mar 5) by Secretary of State for Wales Jo Stevens, who visited the site to mark the development.

The project has been supported by the UK Government’s Life Sciences Innovative Manufacturing Fund (LSIMF), part of a wider strategy to strengthen the UK’s health sector and domestic medicine supply.

The £520 million fund aims to attract innovative pharmaceutical manufacturing projects and improve the resilience of medicine supply chains across the UK.

The Welsh life sciences sector continues to grow rapidly. Latest figures show it generated more than £3.5 billion in turnover and supported over 13,000 jobs across more than 280 companies in 2023/24.

The Hengoed facility forms part of a South Wales life sciences cluster identified in the UK Government’s Life Sciences Sector Plan as an area of particular strength.

International investment push

The announcement also coincided with the launch of a new programme designed to promote Welsh trade and investment internationally.

At the Wales Office St David’s Day reception held at Wolf Studios in Cardiff, Jo Stevens confirmed the government will begin a series of overseas initiatives aimed at attracting further international investment into Wales.

The programme will include targeted trade missions to key markets, closer collaboration with the Welsh Government and local partners, and a new fund allowing UK embassies and overseas offices to specifically promote investment opportunities in Wales.

Minister welcomes expansion

The Secretary of State for Wales, Jo Stevens said: “We have a thriving life sciences sector in Wales, and this investment from Norgine is a vote of confidence in our Welsh workforce.

“I am delighted that UK Government funding is supporting the business to continue to grow and create new well-paid jobs.

“Norgine is a brilliant example of an international business that is flourishing in Wales. With our new international programme we are going to build on successes like this to attract even more investment that will create opportunities across the country.”

Company highlights Welsh roots

Janneke van der Kamp, Chief Executive Officer of Norgine, said the investment marked an important milestone for the company and its Welsh operations.

“We have a proud 60-year manufacturing heritage in Wales, and this investment will strengthen our ability to reliably supply essential medicines while creating high-quality jobs for the future,” she said.

“We are deeply committed to Wales, not only through our manufacturing footprint but also through developing local talent in partnership with Cardiff University and regional colleges.”

The UK Government said Wales continues to attract strong levels of international investment, accounting for nearly five percent of all inward investment projects across the UK, creating more than 2,000 jobs in 2024/25 alone.

A NEW employment support programme aimed at helping disabled people and those with health conditions find work is being rolled out across Wales.

The UK Government has confirmed that Mid Wales, North Wales and South West Wales will receive funding under the Connect to Work scheme, part of its wider Pathways to Work initiative designed to help people with complex barriers secure employment.

The announcement forms part of a £300 million expansion of the programme across England and Wales, which ministers say will provide tailored employment support to more than 75,000 people.

Under the plans, Mid Wales will receive up to £3.9 million to help around 1,000 people find work. North Wales will receive up to £13.3 million to support around 3,550 people, while South West Wales will receive up to £14.4 million to help approximately 3,850 residents.

The funding takes the total investment in the programme to more than £950 million. Funding for South East Wales is expected to be confirmed at a later date.

Connect to Work provides one-to-one employment support delivered in local community settings such as cafés, parks or community hubs. Participants are matched with employment advisers who help identify suitable roles, support job applications and work with employers to ensure appropriate workplace adjustments are made.

The UK Government says the programme aims to address economic inactivity linked to health conditions, with around 2.8 million people across the country currently out of work due to long-term illness.

Employment Minister Dame Diana Johnson said the initiative would give people who have been “written off and left behind” the support they need to move into secure work.

She said: “This government believes in the potential of every person in every part of the UK. Connect to Work gives people tailored support to move into good jobs and out of poverty.”

Secretary of State for Wales Jo Stevens said the scheme could improve financial stability and quality of life for many people.

She said: “Providing targeted help for people to get into work means a more financially stable future and a better quality of life for many.

“The tailored support offered by Connect to Work services in Wales will ensure anyone who can work is supported to get the right job for them.”

The programme is being delivered locally through councils and partner organisations. A spokesperson for the Welsh Local Government Association said councils are well placed to provide specialist employment support and link the scheme with other local services, including education, health and housing.

Connect to Work forms part of the UK Government’s wider £3.5 billion “Get Britain Working” package, which includes reforms to Jobcentres, new youth employment guarantees and expanded health-and-work programmes.

People who are out of work due to disability, health conditions or other complex barriers can access the scheme through self-referral or referrals from healthcare professionals, local authorities or voluntary organisations.

POLICE are appealing for information following a serious assault at a nightclub in Saundersfoot which left two people with significant facial injuries.

Officers from Dyfed-Powys Police are investigating reports of grievous bodily harm and actual bodily harm at Sands Nightclub. The incident is believed to have taken place in the early hours of Sunday, February 8, 2026.

Two people suffered serious facial injuries during the incident.

Police say several lines of enquiry have already been carried out and officers are now keen to identify and speak with the individuals pictured, as they may have information that could assist the investigation.

Anyone who recognises the people shown, or believes they may be one of the individuals, is asked to contact police.

Information can be provided online at: https://www.dyfed-powys.police.uk/contact/af/contact-us-beta/contact-us/

Alternatively, email [email protected] or call 101.

Information can also be passed anonymously to Crimestoppers by calling 0800 555111 or visiting crimestoppers-uk.org.

Quote reference: 26000106343.