Alexion Pharmaceuticals has announced a €450m (£324m) project that is expected to create 800 construction jobs in Dublin.
Planning permission is to be sought for the construction of a 20,000m2 manufacturing facility at Alexion’s College Park site in Blanchardstown. Alexion first entered Ireland in 2013 and is already building two other facilities, with approximately 560 construction workers currently involved in their development.
Alexion has worked closely with the Department of Jobs and IDA Ireland on the development of its operations in Ireland. IDA Ireland CEO Martin Shanahan said: “This is one of the largest investments in healthcare in the history of the Irish state – putting an additional €450 million into a site is a real statement of intent from Alexion. Alexion have rapidly grown their headcount and functional responsibility over the last year. IDA Ireland will continue to target blue-chip life-sciences companies like Alexion in the coming years and capitalise on Ireland’s position as one of the top destinations in the world for pharmaceutical companies.”
Since first entering Ireland in 2013, Alexion has invested €130m in the two other facilities – Athlone (€55m) and Phase 1 of College Park (€75m). If granted permission, Phase 2 of College Park is expected to take four years to complete.