NINE research and development projects have been selected to receive a total of £9 million through the Industrial Research and Technology Unit (IRTU) technology development programme. The companies range from a bakery to manufacturers of medical packaging, and the investment brings to more than £20 million total assistance given to companies through the IRTU's technology development programme, supported by the European regional development fund.

Among the companies receiving the awards are:

(1) Perfecseal in Derry, which gets £1.6 million to establish a centre of excellence for the medical device packaging industry.

(2) Randox Laboratories is to receive £1.5 million for biochip array technologies to develop diagnostic products.

(3) Galen Holdings is to receive £1.2 million to establish a research and development unit and to develop specific drug delivery systems.

(4) Shorts Missiles Systems (SMS) receive £1 million for improved integration and test facilities.

(5) Evron Foods of Portadown receives £152,000 to develop new products and maximise exports.

The University of Ulster will also receive more than £500,000 towards the creation of a Northern Ireland Centre for Energy Research and Technology, and over £750,000 for diet and health research at its Coleraine campus.

Queen's University Belfast is to receive £1.5 million for polymer research to support local plastics companies, and over £820,000 to establish a new research and development centre for the design of advanced signal processing clips for the electronics industry.