Alexion Pharmaceuticals to create 40 jobs at vialling facility in Athlone

Alexion Pharmaceuticals said today that it has agreed to buy a vialling facility in Athlone and intends to create 40 new jobs there as part of its plan to establish global supply chain operations in Ireland.

The acquisition from Alkermes is expected to close during the first quarter of this year.

The investment is supported by the Department of Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation through IDA Ireland.

Last July, Alexion announced plans to open a new office and laboratory facility in Dublin and to establish a global supply chain facility in Ireland.

Following the appropriate validation processes and regulatory approval, Alexion said the Athlone facility will become its first company-owned vialling facility.

“The acquisition of the Athlone facility is a sign of our commitment to growing our newly established global supply chain operation in Ireland,” said Stephen Squinto, PhD, executive vice president and chief global operations officer at Alexion. “As we continue to grow and expand our operations to serve more patients, this facility will help us to provide life-transforming medicines to patients in Europe and around the world.”

“Today’s announcement that Alexion, a global leader in this sector, is expanding its operations in Ireland and creating 40 jobs is very welcome news,” said Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation, Richard Bruton.

Alexion is a global biopharmaceutical company focused on the development and delivery of therapies for severe and life-threatening rare disorders.

Grainne Rothery