“1,100 New Jobs as Amgen, the Largest Biotechnology Company in the World, Chooses Ireland for investments of $1 billion” – Minister Martin
Date: 31.1.2006
Amgen, the largest biotechnology company in the world, has chosen Ireland for major new development and manufacturing investments. Supported by IDA Ireland, Amgen plans to build process development, bulk manufacturing and fill and finish facilities at Carrigtwohill, Co. Cork. It will invest more than $1 billion (€0.82 billion) in the projects and will employ more than 1,100 people in Cork by 2010.
Amgen 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 greenfield site and operations are expected to begin in 2009.
Minister Martin TDsaid, “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. The Irish Government, IDA Ireland and local partners made a concentrated group effort to win these projects and Amgen, a leader in its field, with world-class R&D and groundbreaking discoveries, is a very welcome addition to our thriving biotechnology industry. ”
The Minister went on to say; “These investments further validate the decisions by the Government over recent years to invest in the development of Ireland’s support infrastructure for the Biotechnology industry. 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”.
Amgen also announced today it will expand its existing research and development operations in the US - at Cambridge, Mass., San Francisco and Seattle - and in the UK at Cambridge, and will build a new development centre in Uxbridge, UK. In addition, the company has formed a new entity, Amgen International, headquartered in Zug, Switzerland, to ensure patients in emerging markets in Central and Southeast Asia, Africa and Latin America have access in the future to Amgen’s products.
About Amgen
Amgen Inc. headquartered in Thousand Oaks, California (40 miles north of Los Angeles), US, was founded in 1980 and is the largest biotechnology company in the world. It employs over 14,000 people and is listed on the NASDAQ with a current market capitalisation close to $100 billion.
In 2004, revenue was €8.7 billion (an increase of 26% on 2003) with a net income of €2.7 billion. R&D investment for 2004 totalled over €1.6 billion. Over 5,500 are employed in R&D (almost 40% of total staff). 2005 revenues will be announced on 26 January 2006 and will be in the region of €10 billion.
Amgen discovers, develops and delivers innovative human therapeutics. Since its founding in 1980, the company has been a pioneer in biologics manufacturing, developing some of the first and most successful processes for large-scale protein production.
Amgen was one of the first companies to realise the new science’s promise by bringing safe and effective medicines from lab, to manufacturing plant, to patient. Its therapeutics have changed the practice of medicine, helping millions of people around the world in the fight against cancer, kidney disease, rheumatoid arthritis, and other serious illnesses.
Over the last five years, Amgen has invested more than $3 billion (€2.48 billion) to enhance its manufacturing capabilities in the United States and has added more than 4,000 jobs in the U.S. since 2001. In September 2005, Amgen announced the approval of a new commercial bulk manufacturing plant in Rhode Island for Enbrel® (etanercept), as well as the licensure of a new commercial bulk manufacturing plant in Puerto Rico for NEUPOGEN® (Filgrastim) and Neulasta® (pegfilgrastim). Construction is under way in Puerto Rico on a second plant for commercial bulk manufacturing of EPOGEN® (Epoetin alfa) and Aranesp® (darbepoetin alfa).
"Source":[ http://www.entemp.ie/press/2006/20060124.htm]
