IRELAND will see a major jobs boost after a global biopharma firm said it will invest $400m (€368m) in an expansion of a drug facility in Dublin.
Bristol Myers Squibb said its sterile drug product facility at Cruiserath Campus in Dublin 15 had received planning permission.
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The works will create 350 jobs by 2026, it added.
The building will support the manufacturing and supply of existing medicines as well as serve as a “launch excellence facility for pipeline assets”.
It is the company’s first European facility of its kind.
The jobs will take the number of Bristol Myers Squibb direct employees at the campus to over 1,000.
The project is currently in design phase, with construction expected to begin in March 2024 for completion in 2026.
The company said in a statement: “Adding to existing biologic manufacturing operations for bulk drug substance this new investment, and the roles created, will significantly expand manufacturing and laboratory capacity in Cruiserath as the campus adds new technologies and capabilities supporting sterile drug product manufacturing.
“The co-location for drug substance and drug product manufacturing alongside existing global testing capabilities offers significant strategic agility to the global supply of medicinal products to patients from the BMS commercial brands and clinical pipeline.
Padraig Keane, Vice President, Cruiserath Biologics, said: “This is significant news and a proud day at Cruiserath Biologics as this SDP facility strengthens not only our capabilities on campus, but allows us to be agile and responsive to patient needs across the globe.
“This investment will expand our capacity for aseptic drug products, reinforce stable production for global supply and accelerate the development and commercialisation of innovative biologic therapies alongside other pipeline medicines.
“This year we celebrate 60 years of BMS in Ireland, across our three sites in Ireland we continue to play a critical role in the global production, development, and supply network.”
‘Future commitment’
Michael Lohan, CEO of IDA, said: ‘’Bristol Myers Squibb’s decision to invest $400 million at their Cruiserath campus along with 350 new jobs is most welcome news and underscores the strategic importance of Ireland in their global operations.
“It is proof of the company’s future commitment to Ireland and a testament to Ireland’s continued attractiveness as a location for biopharma investment.”
Karin Shanahan, EVP, Global Product Development and Supply, who leads the company’s global manufacturing network, including Cruiserath, added: “The Cruiserath Biologics site will continue to play a crucial role in our company’s success moving forward.
“Coupled with the breadth of knowledge and expertise of our employees, this sterile drug product site, co-partnered alongside our Biologics facility, will allow us to further enhance our operations as we strive to get more medicines to more patients faster.
‘Historic day’
“Our workforce is truly committed to discovering, developing, and delivering innovative medicines that help patients prevail over serious diseases and I’m proud to be a part of this historic day for our Irish footprint.”
Bristol Myers Squibb was one of the first pharmaceutical companies in Ireland, opening its doors with an Active Pharmaceutical Ingredient Plant (API) in Swords, Co Dublin in 1964.
Many of its global business services are located in Ireland, including the global headquarters for External Manufacturing in Blanchardstown Corporate Park, which is also the home of the Bristol Myers Squibb European Treasury Centre, Commercial Operations and Market Supply Operations team.
The network of Irish sites also includes a distribution centre in Shannon, Co Clare.
