More than 70 jobs could be created following the opening of a new extension at Gerard Laboratories in the Baldoyle Industrial Estate in Dublin. Gerard Laboratories employs 174 people, although this is expected to rise to 245 by the end of 2002 as a result of the company's development programme.

The firm manufactures a range of generic pharmaceuticals, mainly in tablet form. It is a key supplier to its parent Merck's European market. The plant manufactures sufficient product to satisfy around 50 million prescriptions per year in its main European market.