Alexion makes $500 million investment in new Irish site

American pharma company Alexion Pharmaceuticals (Nasdaq: ALXN) is to construct a five-story laboratory, office, packaging and warehouse facility as part of a 450 million euros ($502 million) investment in a Dublin site.

The new center at College Park in Blanchardstown, Dublin, will be the company’s third facility in Ireland, along with the current office in Park West, Dublin, and the planned site in Athlone. It is expected to create 200 new jobs. Irish Prime Minister Enda Kenny joined Alexion’s senior management team for the announcement (pictured).

Julie O’Neill, general manager of Ireland and senior vice president, global manufacturing operations, said: “As we expand our global mission to transform the lives of patients with severe and rare disorders, we are pleased to establish Ireland as a key location for Alexion’s global supply chain operations. By 2016, we expect the total number of employees in Ireland to increase to about 300 people, which is very exciting. We have already begun recruiting for some of these positions and I look forward to expanding our workforce in Ireland with people who share our passion to transform the lives of patients with severe and rare diseases.”