Alexion plans big expansion in Ireland

pharmafile | May 12, 2015 | News story | Manufacturing and Production, Sales and Marketing Alexion, Dublin, Ireland, soliris 

Alexion Pharmaceuticals is significantly expanding its operations in Ireland by building the US firm’s first ever biologics manufacturing facility outside its home country.

The company that makes Soliris – one of the world’s most expensive drugs – will be spending €450 million on the four-year project, which will see the large construction take place at Alexion’s College Park site in Blanchardstown, Dublin. 

The move is expected to create around 200 additional full-time jobs upon completion the firm notes, which will bring Alexion’s total workforce in the country to just under 500 employees.

Julie O’Neill who is an executive VP of Alexion’s global operations says: “Alexion is pleased to progress the development of our College Park facility with a significant expansion that will now include our first biologics manufacturing facility outside the US. 

“This project further underscores our commitment to Ireland and is enabled by our ability to recruit highly competent and professional personnel to support the production and distribution of our medicine, Soliris, and our strong pipeline of biologics medicines.” 

Only last week the rare disease specialist firm splashed out $8.4 billion to buy fellow US orphan drug developer Synageva biopharmaceuticals. 

However it is most known for its only product, Soliris (eculizumab), a treatment for two life-threatening ultra-rare disorders: paroxysmal nocturnal haemoglobinuria (PNH) and atypical haemolytic uraemic syndrome (aHUS).

Since first entering Ireland in 2013, Alexion has invested €130 million in two facilities – Athlone (€55 million) and Phase 1 of College Park (€75 million). The development of these will see approximately 300 people employed by the end of 2016. 

If granted permission, Phase 2 of College Park is expected to take four years to complete. And commenting on the investment was Martin Shanahan, a chief executive of an agency responsible for industrial development in Ireland – IDA Ireland.

“This is one of the largest investments in healthcare in the history of the Irish state – putting an additional €450 million into a site is a real statement of intent from Alexion.” 

Shanahan adds: “Alexion have rapidly grown their headcount and functional responsibility over the last year. IDA Ireland will continue to target blue-chip life-sciences companies like Alexion in the coming years and capitalise on Ireland’s position as one of the top destinations in the world for pharmaceutical companies”. 

Brett Wells

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