The pharmaceutical company Elan is to create up to 120 jobs as part of a €35 million investment at its Athlone facility, it was announced this morning.
The company is to establish a new sterile biopharmaceuticals plant creating 120 new jobs in supervisory, laboratory and operative areas, the Tanaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment Ms Harney announced this morning.
This investment is being supported by IDA Ireland and it is the result of Elan's concentration in its new corporate strategy to refocus the company towards biopharmaceuticals.
"The decision to locate this facility in Athlone underlines once again Ireland's continued competitiveness and our attraction as a location for investment," the Tanaiste said.
"I hope this is just a taster of more good news to come. Other important investments involving major overseas corporations are in the pipeline and I expect to be in a position to make announcements in regard to these matters over the coming weeks," Ms Harney added.
"Together with a further US $178 million investment by Elan in the past few years, this site is now a key part of Elan's overall business strategy," Mr Paul Breen, Executive Vice President and Head of Global Services & Operations at Elan said. "Elan has a long and proud history in Athlone and with this investment we look forward to continuing our presence here," he concluded.