CORK RECEIVED a jobs boost yesterday when US-owned biopharmaceutical firm Gilead Sciences announced it is to establish a financial services operation at its base in the county which will create 30 new jobs over the next two years.
Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment Mary Coughlan welcomed the announcement that Gilead is to expand its workforce at Carrigtwohill in east Cork from 125 to 155.
“Gilead Sciences is one of the leading biotechnology companies in the world and its decision to establish a European financial shared services centre in Cork is welcome news for the whole southwest region,” said Ms Coughlan.
Gilead’s general manager in Ireland, Julie O’Neill, said the centre will service its European markets. “The decision to locate our European financial shared services centre in Cork was based on our track record of success here, the experience in the region, the availability of skills,” she said.
Gilead, which is headquartered in California, set up its operation in Cork in 2007. It specialises in developing therapeutics for areas of unmet medical need, such as the potential treatment of HIV and hepatitis B and C.