US multinational pharmaceutical company, Merck & Co is to invest €100 million in the expansion of its plant in Co Tipperary which will create 120 jobs including 60 in research and development over the next three years, it was announced yesterday.
Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment, Micheál Martin said the investment was a major boost to the south Tipperary economy where the company's Irish subsidiary, Merck Sharpe & Dohme, already employs 340 people at its plant at Ballydine, near Clonmel.
"We are delighted that the Merck Sharpe & Dohme plant in Ballydine is performing to such a level that it was selected for this cutting edge R&D and clinical trials manufacturing facility," said Mr Martin. He added that while the investment of €100 million was very substantial and welcome in terms of creating 120 news jobs, what was even more significant was the fact that Merck & Co had decided to locate a research and development at Ballydine.
"Locating research and development here is very significant - that's a high-value activity that embeds the company in this locality and ensures that the company has an overall part to play in the global strategy of Merck, Sharpe & Dohme so we're very pleased," he said.
Mr Martin said Merck, Sharpe & Dohme's decision to base these key activities in Ireland was "a strong endorsement of Ireland's reputation as a leading global location for life sciences companies carrying out high-level research and development."
It also reflected the Government's ambitions through investing €3.8 billion in its science and technology initiative, which aims at doubling the number of PhD graduates to supply knowledge driven companies like Merck & Co, he said. The firm's vice-president of global pharmaceutical commercialisation, Dr Michael P Thien, said the development of the Ballydine facility would help it bring new medicines to market quicker.
Its decision to base the formulation R & D and manufacturing facility at Ballydine was based on factors such as the consistent level of support from the Government, the availability of skills and a supportive business environment, he said.
"We've had great success with our facility in south Tipperary over the last 30 years and we're pleased this new investment will bring a new business in finished product production and significantly increase the overall level of research and development at the site," he said.
The group's operation in Ballydine was established in 1976 and the plant is involved in manufacturing ingredients for a number of its products including asthma treatment, Singulair and osteoporosis drug, Fosamax.
IDA Ireland chief executive, Seán Dorgan, said Merck's decision to locate its research and development facility at Ballydine was based on the company's successful experience at the plant.
