Shire to create new biotechnology manufacturing site in Ireland

Shire has announced plans to expand its biotechnology manufacturing capabilities in Ireland with a $400 million (278.34 million pounds) investment.

Over the next four years, the company will develop a state-of-the-art biologics manufacturing campus across 120 acres in Piercetown, County Meath. This will lead to the creation of approximately 400 permanent jobs, with construction to begin later this year.

Flexible production strategies will be utilised to enable the site to supply both clinical and commercial-scale products, with highly-skilled full-time jobs to be created in the areas of research and development, operations, technical staff, engineering and construction.

The site is expected to be operational midway through 2019 and will support Shire's goal of becoming a world leader in the development of new therapies for rare diseases and other specialty conditions.

Flemming Ornskov, Shire's chief executive officer, said: "The new campus in County Meath will provide necessary geographic diversification and will help us serve our growing international business."