Allergan creates 63 jobs with biologics manufacturing expansion in Ireland

30-Apr-2019 - Last updated on 30-Apr-2019 at 14:44 GMT

(Image: Getty/JoeGough)

Allergan will expand its existing facilities in Ireland through an investment of €65m to produce new product formats for existing and investigational products.

According to the company, the $65m ($72m) will be focused into four areas: the building of two manufacturing suites in its biologics facility, and the completion of a microbiology and cell-based laboratory.

Allergan will also invest in automated manufacturing processes for its ocular implant facility and will expand manufacturing capabilities for solid dose products in development.

The investment will focus on the company’s Westport, Ireland, site, with additional funding being provided to its solid dose facility in Clonshaugh, Dublin.

At its Westport, Mayo, site, 63 new jobs will be created – adding to its existing workforce of 2,425 that operate out of the west of Ireland, and a total employee footprint of 3,458 across the country.

An Taoiseach, Leo Varadkar, said: “This is great news for Westport and for Mayo and reinforces the region’s deserved reputation as a location for investment and innovation. It is further evidence of the confidence international companies like Allergan continue to have in Ireland.”

Allergan has invested more than €140m in its biologics facility in Westport, with the plant now in the final stages of qualification and regulatory approval before being able to begin commercial production.

The company’s Westport location produces Allergan’s lead product, Botox (botulinum toxin), which is used as a therapeutic in neuroscience and urology – bringing in $433m during the fourth quarter of 2018 in these areas, globally.

The investment into the Westport site will see ‘new formats’ for one of Allergan’s leading products, though the company did not specify which one and a spokesperson did not respond to a request for clarification.

According to a report published by Allergan, the company was responsible for €308m in GDP and €76m in exchequer revenue during 2018 for Ireland. In the western region of Ireland, the company represents 1.2% of regional GDP and supports 1.1% of regional employment.

Irish minister for rural and community development, Michael Ring, said: “This is a real vote of confidence in the western region. Allergan is a fantastic employer and it’s great to see it further cement its presence here in Ireland. Speaking as someone from Westport, Allergan has had a remarkably positive impact on the town and on the region.”