Amgen To Create 1,100 New Jobs In Cork

Amgen, the largest biotechnology company in the world, has chosen Ireland for major new development and manufacturing investments that promise up to 1,100 jobs by 2010.

Supported by IDA Ireland, Amgen plans to invest more than $1 billion (€0.82 billion) in a major facility at Carrigtwohill in Co. Cork.

The pharmaceutical company discovers and develops innovative human therapeutic products for patients and has pioneered significant medical developments in the fight against cancer, kidney disease, rheumatoid arthritis and other serious illnesses.

The proposed Irish operations will manufacture products for the growing number of patients in Europe and other parts of the world who benefit from the company’s vital medicines.

The projects will get underway later in 2006 at a 133-acre green field site and operations are expected to begin in 2009.

Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment Micheál Martin said: “This is a landmark decision and one which is welcomed not just by Cork but by all of Ireland. Investments of this scale speak volumes about Ireland’s ability to compete and win the most advanced and innovative business from the biggest biotechnology company in the world.

"The intense global competition for these investments has been well publicised and we are delighted to be officially bringing this superb news today to the people of Cork and Ireland."

Minister Martin said the investment further validated the decisions by the Government over recent years to invest in the development of Ireland’s support infrastructure for the Biotechnology industry.

He said: "The investment, through Science Foundation Ireland, in biotechnology research in our universities and the more recent decision to establish the National Institute of Bioprocessing Research and Training are initiatives which have improved our competitiveness and will provide substantive support to Amgen as it grows and develops its business here in Ireland.”

Dr. Fabrizio Bonanni, Senior Vice President of Manufacturing, Amgen, said “Amgen is delighted to be establishing in Ireland as part of our ongoing global development and manufacturing expansion. As demand for our products continued to grow in Europe, our company recognised the need for capacity closer to this important market.

"We considered several attractive sites in other countries for these projects and finally chose Ireland due to its thriving biotechnology community, infrastructure to support biologics manufacturing and pro-business environment. In addition, the access and availability to highly skilled and educated people particularly in the areas we most require combined with the support and assistance of IDA Ireland made this decision the right one for Amgen’s future”.

Worldwide Amgen employs 14,000 people of whom over 5,500 are employed in R&D.

The Carrigtwohill plant will include development, bulk manufacturing, fill, and finish facilities.

(SP)