Genzyme to expand Irish plant

Genzyme has announced plans to expand its Ireland plant – creating 170 new jobs.

The biotechnology company is planning to spend some $200 million on the expansion, reports the Boston Herald.

The facility, which opened in 2001, will gain an expanded sterile fill/finish manufacturing operation and also benefit from expanded laboratory and office space.

Genzyme has stated that it also has plans to introduce soft gel manufacturing capacity to the facility.

Ireland’s economic development agency, IDA Ireland, is offering an undisclosed amount of financial assistance in support of the project.

This follows news that Genzyme plans invest "tens of millions of pounds" in expanding its Cambridge research base.

Businessweekly.com reports that the improved facility will focus upon research into human monoclonal antibodies.

Genzyme specializes in manufacturing drugs to treat rare genetic disorders, kidney disease and cancer and to help organ-transplant recipients.

It employs approximately 10,000 worldwide.