Westport cements its position as largest manufacturing campus in global network as investment in Ireland reaches €750 million.
Allergan plc, the global integrated biopharmaceutical leader headquartered in Ireland, has opened its €160 million Biologics 2 facility at its Westport campus in Co Mayo.
Botulinum toxin brand
The new facility will create 63 jobs and enhance Ireland’s position as a strategic global hub for Allergans’ flagship products, including their botulinum toxin brand. This brings Allergan’s total investment in Ireland since it began operations in the country to more than €750 million.
The Biologics 2 facility at Allergan Westport will feature new manufacturing suites to meet growing global demand for Allergan’s flagship products.
As part of a strategic expansion to support the next generation of biologics innovation it will feature a new microbiology and cell-based laboratory.
Coinciding with the opening of the Biologics 2 facility, Allergan recently marked the shipping of the 100 millionth vial of BOTOX®[1] from the Westport campus as Allergan marked 30 years since the product first received FDA approval[2].
Wayne Swanton, executive vice-president of global operations at Allergan plc, said: “It gives me great pride to mark the global opening of our Biologics 2 facility here in Westport as we embark on the next chapter next chapter of growth and innovation for Allergan’s botulinum toxin brand and other biologics products.
"The sensitivity of biologics in the manufacturing process is like no other. It requires a level of exactness in manufacturing and handling throughout the whole supply chain around the world, which is truly unique.
"That journey starts here in Westport on the west coast of Ireland with a team of more than 1,300 passionate and highly skilled people who have been integral to growing our products to the scale we see today and delivering impact for patients.
'Outstanding country for investment and expansion'
“Throughout our 40 years here in Ireland, we have enjoyed a tremendous relationship with local, regional and national government and the community around us. We continue to believe Ireland is an outstanding country for investment and expansion for all our products that are manufactured here in Westport.
"Ireland has made education, training and investment in its biopharma workforce a priority. As we look to the future, it is one of the benefits we value tremendously from having such a strong presence here in Ireland.”
Employing more than 2,000 across the country, 10% of Allergan’s global workforce are now based in Ireland.
An independent economic assessment by EY DKM conducted in 2019 indicates that Allergans’ €160 million capital investment programme in Ireland over the past three years contributed €23 million to Ireland’s GDP in 2019 and added €7 million in exchequer revenues.
In 2018, Allergan’s significant Irish operations delivered a GDP impact of €308 million, supported 3,485 jobs in Ireland’s economy, and contributed exchequer revenues of €76 million.
'Home to strategic expansion'
Paul Coffey, vice-president global manufacturing (eyecare and biologics) and site lead at Allergan Westport, said: “This €160 million investment underpins Allergan's commitment to advancement in the biologics arena and we are delighted that Ireland is home to this strategic expansion.
"Our Westport campus is the largest and most complex in Allergans global network. Our new biologics facility, added to our existing biologics facility, will allow us to meet continued global demand for Allergans flagship products.
"With the addition of a new microbiology and cell-based laboratory too, the team here in Westport are looking forward to contributing to product innovations that will make a difference to patients’ lives all over the world and maintain our position at the forefront of the global biopharma industry.”