A RESEARCH company's rapid expansion is set to continue after it announced it was planning to create a further 140 jobs.

Onyx Scientific started out with six staff three years ago before growing to its present day 45-strong team.

It now intends to employ another 20 staff at a newly-built laboratory and has investment put aside for 120 extra posts in the next seven years.

The Sunderland firm researches, develops and manufactures new drugs for the pharmaceutical industry.

The expansion drive is part of plans to open up new markets, particularly in the United States.

The company has made more than £2m investment since it started life at the Sunderland Business and Innovation Centre.