Biotechnology firm to create 400 jobs at Dunboyne

Shire plc has announced that it plans to expand its global biotechnology manufacturing capacity over the next four years by investing US$400 million in Ireland to meet the rapidly growing demand for its highly innovative products and robust pipeline.

Shire will create a new, state of the art biologics manufacturing campus, which it expects will lead to the creation of approximately 400 permanent jobs on a 120 acre site at Piercetown, Dunboyne. Construction of the new site will begin in mid-2016 with the site expected to be operational by mid-2019.

Shire’s Chief Executive Officer, Flemming Ornskov, MD, MPH, commented: “Increasing our biologics manufacturing capability is fundamental to achieving our ambition of becoming the world’s leading Biotechnology Company focused on rare diseases and other speciality conditions. The expansion will enable us to meet increasing product demands, support our pipeline and, ultimately, help more patients. We are delighted to be expanding our operations in Ireland, where we have strong, existing relationships. The new campus in County Meath will provide necessary geographic diversification and will help us serve our growing international business.”

Employing the latest bioprocessing techniques, the facility will employ flexible production strategies enabling it to supply both clinical and commercial scale products. The roles at Shire’s new campus in County Meath will consist of highly skilled, full time jobs in the areas of R&D, operations, technical staff, engineering and construction.

Shire traces its history back to 1986, when a small team of entrepreneurs sought out a solution to address on a number of unmet medical needs. Within its first two years of operation, the company had launched a range of supplemental calcium products for patients seeking to treat or prevent osteoporosis. Soon thereafter, innovative drug development programs were under way on behalf of patients facing such challenging conditions as Alzheimer's disease and end-stage renal failure.

By 1992, Shire had embarked on the first of what would be a series of strategic acquisitions -- these were bold ventures that fortified our product lines and underscored the wisdom of a business model focused exclusively on products sold to specialist physicians. After the turn of the millennium, with the acquisition of TKT, we began our focus on rare diseases, something that remains a strategic focus for the company today. The Shire pipeline continues to be sustained by creative acquisitions and innovative licensing deals. Smart commercialization strategies have ensured that the right patients and the right physicians have the information they need to make appropriate choices about treatment options.

Shire employs more than 5,000 people in nearly 40 countries around the world who carry forward many of the original attributes of its founders -- opportunistic thinking, transparent behavior, a deep commitment to doing what is right and a prevailing concern for the patients and caregivers served by its well-differentiated product lines.

Meath County Council Chief Executive, Jackie Maguire, welcomed the announcement by Shire.

“This is exciting news for County Meath. Today’s announcement of 400 permanent jobs, over 700 construction jobs and a $400 million investment by Shire is clear evidence that Meath is now being recognised internationally as a fantastic place in which to do business” said Ms Maguire.

“I look forward to working with Shire and their team in the coming months to help them in any way we can to deliver this very exciting project. There is now clear evidence that our Economic Strategy for the county is working and we are well on our way to our target of helping to create 7,500 new jobs in Meath by 2022.”

Council cathaoirleach, Brian Fitzgerald, who represents the area said, “we have always believed that this part of county Meath is one of the most attractive locations in the country for business investment. I’m delighted to hear this news which will be another major boost to the local economy, will provide quality job opportunities for our highly skilled local people and will offer an alternative to the daily commute.”