Animal health giant Zoetis is to create up to 100 new jobs with the expansion of its manufacturing and development facility in Tullamore.
The company, which acquired Irish pet medication group Nexvet in a $85 million deal in 2017, already employs about 90 people at the facility.
It said it intends to add between 80 to 100 roles over the next three years with hiring expected to start shortly.
New Jersey-headquartered Zoetis reported revenues of $6.7 billion last year. The company, which was spun out from Pfizer in 2013, said the expansion at its Tullamore facility will significantly increase its capacity for producing veterinary monoclonal antibodies (mAbs).
The current site supports development and manufacturing services across all phases of biopharmaceutical development and commercialisation, including the manufacture of Solensia, which helps alleviate osteoarthritis pain in cats.
Expansion is dependent on planning approval with construction due to begin in early 2022 and the project expected to be completed by 2025.
“With the high concentration of biologic manufacturing sites in the area and the skilled Irish workforce, we have built a strong team with extensive experience in all aspects of biopharmaceuticals manufacture, process development, quality, engineering and supply chain – and we look forward to developing it further with this investment,” said Conor O’Dea, site lead.
The investment is supported by the Irish Government through IDA Ireland.
"The decision of Zoetis to further extend its footprint here and expand its Tullamore facility is really fantastic news and a testament to the existing team. The Midlands has a wealth of talent to draw from and I wish the company the very best with this latest development," said Tánaiste and Minister for Employment Leo Varadkar.
