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From Ballytivnan to Finisklin, Abbott is investing €10m to move its Irish nutritional devices business from one side of the Garavogue River to the other.
“Our aim is to enable people to live fuller, healthier lives.”
So said Sean O’Hara today (30 May), when revealing Abbott’s impending move from Ballytivnan to Finisklin, relocating its Irish nutritional devices operation in the process.
“The talent available in Ireland is key in enabling us to do so,” he said.
The move will cost the company around €10m and will enable the consolidation of manufacturing and business support within one building, and the creation of a medical nutrition device centre of excellence.
It will also provide space for any additional manufacturing and support positions, should they be created by the company in the future.
The relocation will be finished by this time next year, with O’Hara hopeful that staying within Sligo will work well for the company.
“This relocation and investment ensures our people in Sligo can continue to help people all over the world lead healthier lives full of unlimited possibilities.”
Jobs ahoy
Earlier today, fellow pharma giant MSD revealed a massive €280m expansion of its Irish operations, with more than 300 new jobs on the way for Cork and Carlow.
The roles have been created as a result of increased global demand for MSD’s medicines and vaccines produced in Ireland. The investment will see both sites expand production facilities and capacity to meet that demand.
“The expansion of our presence in Ireland is a testament to the talent of our Irish employees,” said Sanat Chattopadhyay, executive vice-president of MSD and president of the company’s manufacturing division.
“In recent years, our Irish businesses have played an increasingly important role in the production of some of MSD’s most important breakthrough medicines for the global market.”
Pharma companies have been very active in Ireland already in 2017. For example, 50 new jobs are to be created by Aerie Pharmaceuticals, which has entered into a lease agreement with the IDA to establish a new manufacturing plant in Athlone, Co Westmeath.
The 2,650 sq m facility will house the new plant, which is expected to produce commercial supplies for Aerie’s current product candidates, Rhopressa and Roclatan.
New entries
Meanwhile, Northern Irish pharma group Almac has announced plans to build a new facility in Dundalk, Co Louth, resulting in the creation of 100 jobs in the first two years.
Elsewhere, in its first foray into Europe, Aralez Pharmaceuticals has opened up a Dublin office, with a view to hiring highly skilled workers by the end of the year.
Also in Dublin, pharma company Mallinckrodt is on the hunt for 45 “highly skilled” staff to fill its new global medical device engineering centre at the company’s Blanchardstown base.
Jobs in a range of disciplines – including product design, core electronics, electromechanical engineering and software development – have been created at the new centre.
