US PHARMACEUTICAL COMPANY Regeneron will create 300 jobs by 2016 at a new facility to be built in Limerick, it was announced today.

The company is investing €218 million to build the new biopharmaceutical production facility within a 11.88 hectare site, previously owned by Dell in Raheen Business Park.

Subject to planning approval from the local authority, the company expects to employ up to 300 people by the end of 2016, including scientists, engineers, technicians and administrative personnel.

The proposed investment programme will involve the major refurbishment of existing buildings on the site, which has been vacant since Dell’s departure in 2009, and the construction of a quality control laboratory.

Construction jobs

Subject to a successful permit, construction and refurbishment is anticipated to begin next year for a two-year period, generating up to 600 temporary construction jobs as well as the permanent positions that will be on offer when the site is operational.

The investment is supported by the Department of Jobs through IDA Ireland, which helped the company secure its site. Commenting on the announcement today, Minister Richard Bruton said:

With Regeneron confirming its intention to establish operations in Ireland, IDA Ireland with the support of my Department has now secured nine of the top ten global BioPharma companies to locate major facilities in Ireland. I am determined to build on this and secure further announcements like this over the coming months.

Daniel Van Plew, Regeneron’s Senior VP and GM of Industrial Operations and Product Supply said the company sees Limerick as a good place to do business as “the area has excellent educational institutes, a strong community spirit and a solid transport infrastructure”.

He also said Regeneron is already in discussions with the universities and colleges in Limerick about future possibilities.

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