Alexion Pharmaceuticals is to create 200 jobs now that the company has received planning permission to build a new global supply chain facility at College Park in Blanchardstown, Dublin.
In addition to the company jobs in supply chain, quality control packing, warehousing and support, up to 200 new construction jobs are also expected to be created as a result of this expansion, which involves an investment of about €75m over the next two years.
Fingal County Council granted planning permission to Alexion for a new 15,000 sq-metre laboratory, office, packaging and warehouse facility on a 41-acre greenfield site at College Park.
Alexion has already begun recruiting to fill roles at the College Park site.
The company announced its decision to establish global supply chain and quality operations in Ireland in July 2013, and today the company employs more than 60 people at its first site in Park West, Dublin.
In February, Alexion revealed plans to acquire a second site in Athlone to create an aseptic vial fill finish facility, thus creating even more jobs.
With today’s news of Alexion’s plans for a third site, the company’s total job creation in Ireland is expected to rise to about 300 by 2016.
Alexion is biopharmaceutical company with headquarters in Cheshire, Connecticut. The company’s focus lies in the development and delivery of therapies for patients with severe and life-threatening rare disorders.
Leonard Bell, M.D., and CEO of Alexion Pharmaceuticals, said the company chose Ireland because of the calibre of its workforce and culture of innovation.
An Taoiseach Enda Kenny, TD, pointed out that Alexion has been recognised by Forbes magazine as the world’s second most innovative company.
“I am delighted it has chosen to establish operations in the country that magazine (has also) recognised as the best in the world for business. As a Government, we are determined to deliver jobs and investment and today’s welcome announcement is another step in getting Ireland working again,” Kenny added.
Barry O’Leary, CEO of IDA Ireland, said the strong flow of investment into Ireland from biopharmaceutical companies is due to Ireland’s flexible workforce and dedicated training programmes, such as those available in the National Institute for Bioprocessing Research and Training (NIBRT), which develop specific skills required in the biopharma industry.
Pharmaceuticals image via Shutterstock
