Regeneron Pharmaceuticals, Inc. announced further expansion of its Limerick Industrial Operations and Product Supply (IOPS) bioprocessing campus in Ireland with an additional 300 jobs and investment of $100 million, bringing the total expected employment at the site to 800 people and total investment to $750 million. The project is supported by the government through IDA Ireland.
Since 2013, when Regeneron first announced plans to invest in operations in Ireland, the company has consistently exceeded job and investment projections for its Irish Operations. In October 2015, Regeneron projected employment in Ireland would reach 500 by the end of 2017. As Regeneron’s Irish expansion continues with employment expected to rise to 800 by the end of 2018, recruitment is ongoing for high-end specialist positions.
Regeneron’s 400,000 square foot, state-of-the-art production facility in Limerick is the largest scale bulk biologics production facility in Ireland and one of the largest biologic production operations in the world. The additional $100 million investment will support the construction of a number of manufacturing suites to increase drug substance production capacity and enable the company to meet demand for its life-transforming medicines for patients with serious diseases.
“Limerick offers an exceptionally good location for U.S. multinationals,” Niall O’Leary, Vice President and Site Head, IOPS Raheen, said. “Located just 30 minutes from Shannon Airport with a five hour time difference from New York, Ireland is also a midway point for U.S. executives linking into our partners, such as Bayer in Germany and Sanofi in France. In addition, the very favorable business environment along with the support provided by IDA Ireland and Limerick City and County Council make the city an ideal home for Regeneron.”
Speaking of the investment, Martin Shanahan, CEO, IDA Ireland, said that an additional $100 million investment and 300 jobs commitment by Regeneron is a “huge boost” for the Mid-West Region. “The Irish government is committed to continuing to invest in our education, research and broader ecosystem to ensure that Ireland remains the competitive location of choice for new biotech manufacturing operations.”
In addition to the production facility in Limerick, Regeneron’s European business operations for IOPS, the company has a Dublin office, currently employing 30 people and serving as the company’s European business administration headquarters. Regeneron’s total headcount in Ireland is expected to approach 850 by the end of 2018.
(Source: Regeneron Pharmaceuticals, Inc.; IDA Ireland)
