Taoiseach Officially Opens Abbott Mature Products Management Ltd

This is a strategically important investment by Abbott.  We chose Ireland because of our existing presence here, the availability of a highly experienced workforce, proximity to our European affiliates and manufacturing locations for many of our mature products.

Mr. Olivier Bohuon, Senior Vice President, International Pharmaceuticals, Abbott

DUBLIN, IRELAND, July 2nd, 2009 – The Taoiseach, Mr. Brian Cowen, T.D., today officially opened Abbott Mature Products Management Ltd at Santry in North Dublin.  It will support the growth of Abbott’s mature pharmaceutical brands in key markets.

Abbott chose Ireland as the location for the international pharmaceutical headquarters of its mature business operations and will create 50 new high value jobs in the operation.

Abbott was the first international healthcare company to establish a dedicated support operation to build on the opportunities for its mature brands, particularly for its primary care products in emerging markets, where strong growth is predicted in the next few years. 

Ireland will now play a significant role in helping Abbott affiliates in Europe, Asia, Latin America and Japan take advantage of these opportunities.

Speaking at the official opening, the Taoiseach welcomed the decision to locate the new facility in Ireland saying it marked "an exciting new chapter in Abbott's ongoing engagement with Ireland."

"Abbott Ireland is one of Ireland's most important FDI investors in the Life Sciences sector and as a high energy, dynamic company, driven by scientific endeavour, innovation and commercialisation it is exactly the kind of company that we want in Ireland as we build our Smart Economy.  It is also a model of the kind of company that we would like to grow in Ireland for ourselves. The choice of Ireland as the location for Abbott Mature Products Management Ltd. augurs well for our plans for the future," said the Taoiseach.

Mr. Olivier Bohuon, Senior Vice President, International Pharmaceuticals, Abbott said; “Most companies typically invest heavily in supporting new products to market.  This innovative approach by Abbott in providing dedicated support to its mature brands, in particular to its primary care products, will ensure these products can continue to be accessed by patients in both established and emerging markets.”

“This is a strategically important investment by Abbott.  We chose Ireland because of our existing presence here, the availability of a highly experienced workforce, proximity to our European affiliates and manufacturing locations for many of our mature products."  

Manufacturing, medical, commercial and regulatory support will be provided from Ireland to Abbott affiliates in both developed and emerging markets in Europe, Asia, Latin America and Japan.  The 50 high level jobs will include director roles in each support area as well as a range of positions across quality control, supply chain management, marketing and finance.

Abbott currently employs more than 3,800 people in Ireland in commercial and manufacturing operations in Sligo, Donegal, Longford, Dublin, Tipperary, Cavan and Mayo.  Approximately half of the company’s employees are third level graduates while 100 people with PhDs are employed by the company.

Abbott has an excellent reputation as being a great place to work and has received numerous distinctions for commitment to workplace excellence.  The company was recently voted one of the Top 50 Best Workplaces in Ireland for the sixth year in a row and has been recognised by the GradIreland Awards, O2 Ability Awards, Chambers Ireland CSR Awards, and also recently won four awards at the Irish Institute of Training and Development National Training Awards 2009.  Abbott is also one of the Top 25 Companies for Graduate Recruitment in Ireland.

About Abbott
Abbott is a global, broad-based health care company devoted to the discovery, development, manufacture and marketing of pharmaceuticals and medical products, including nutritionals, devices and diagnostics.  The company employs more than 72,000 people and markets its products in more than 130 countries.

Abbott in Ireland
Abbott is one of Ireland's leading health care company employers, employing more than 3,800 people. Abbott Ireland manufactures and markets a broad range of health care products including medical devices, and pharmaceutical, diagnostic and nutritional products. Abbott has seven manufacturing facilities located in Clonmel, Cootehill, Donegal, Longford and Sligo as well as commercial operations in Dublin and Westport.  Abbott has been operating in Ireland since 1946. 

Further information about Abbott is available on the company's Web sites at www.abbott.ie  or www.abbott.com