Investments boost Irish pharma sector

Contract research organisation PPD has officially opened its new research laboratory in Athlone, Ireland, and started recruiting for the first 50 of a planned 250 staff at the unit.

A total of 21 staff have already been hired, according to PPD, which first announced its intention to open the Good Manufacturing Practice (GMP) laboratory services unit in December 2008.

The aim was to create a facility in Europe to match the capabilities of PPD's cGMP laboratory in Wisconsin, USA, and serve clients in Europe, Middle East and Africa.

The 18,000 sq. ft. lab has been set up with an investment budget of $19 million and will provide product and analytical development services, including "method development; validation; stability, release and quality control testing; and global clinical supplies services, including secondary packing, labelling and storage”, according to PPD.

The company notes the facility will also provide regulatory services, product licensing and marketed product support, including qualified person (QP) services for all drug dosage forms, with particular emphasis on inhalation and biopharmaceutical products.

"Expanding our laboratory operations into Europe enables us to continue to deliver on our strong history of providing quality work and customer service to our growing client base in this region," said Magdalena Mejillano, PPD’s vice president of laboratory services.

Warner Chilcott headquarters

Meanwhile, there was further good news for the Irish pharmaceutical sector last week when it emerged that pharmaceutical company Warner Chilcott said it would establish its headquarters in Dundalk, County Louth, with the creation of up to 200 jobs.

The facility would house administrative functions but also analytical services and manufacturing space, according to the company.

Warner Chilcott was originally a US-headquartered company but was acquired by Irish healthcare company Galen Holdings in 2000. Last year the company acquired Procter & Gamble's global branded pharmaceuticals business.