Pasadena COVID-19 Test Manufacturer to Open Manufacturing Plant in Wales

The world’s largest manufacturer of rapid antigen tests for COVID-19, based in Pasadena, is about to get even bigger as the company announced plans Wednesday for its first plant in the United Kingdom, with more to follow.

Innova Medical Group plans to construct a new manufacturing facility in South Wales with the ability to produce 1.2 million rapid COVID-19 tests each day, “with additional investments to follow later this year to further expand production capacity,” the company said in a written statement.

The endeavor will be carried out in partnership with Sharp Packaging and is expected to result in roughly 300 new jobs, Innova representatives said. Production was scheduled to begin in early July.

“Innova understands the importance of speed in the fight against the pandemic and strategic contract manufacturing allows us to start local production quickly,” said company President and CEO Daniel Elliot.

“By domestically sourcing as much of the processes as possible, we are confident this partnership with Sharp will deliver value to our UK customers,” Elliot added. “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.”

Wales Economy Minister Vaughan Gething said he was happy to see Innova move in.

“Wales welcomes Innova’s investment and the hundreds of new job opportunities it creates, boosting the local economy and further enhancing Wales’ reputation in the life sciences sector,” he said.

Gerald Jones, a member of Parliament for Merthyr Tydfil and Rhymney, where the new plant is being built, also welcomed Innova to Wales.

“Rhymney and the surrounding communities are a great place to establish a business and I look forward to Innova and Sharp being a key part of our community for many more years to come,” he said.

More information on Innova Medical Group is available on the company’s website at innovamedgroup.com.

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