June 17th, 2021 Waterford IDA Ireland welcomes the announcement by biotech company Horizon Therapeutics plc (Nasdaq:HZNP) that it is to establish a manufacturing facility in Waterford which will employ c.90 people.
The new global biotech manufacturing operation will produce drug product for Horizon’s rare, autoimmune and severe inflammatory disease portfolio.
The project is supported by the Irish Government through IDA Ireland.
The company is purchasing the existing drug product manufacturing facility operated at present by EirGen Pharma, an OPKO health company located on IDA Ireland’s business park in Waterford to facilitate its establishment there. Some 40 of EirGen’s employees are transferring to Horizon as part of the process and are among the c90 people to be employed at the new facility.
Founded in 2008, Horizon Therapeutics is an innovation-driven biotech company focused on researching, developing, and commercialising medicines that address critical needs of people impacted by rare, autoimmune and severe inflammatory diseases. In 2014 the company established its global headquarters in Dublin following the combination of the businesses of Horizon Pharma, Inc. and Vidara Therapeutics International plc. Horizon’s Irish operations, located in Connaught House, Dublin 4, has grown to more than 100 people. As well as its role as global headquarters, Horizon’s Irish operations incorporate several key functions including technical operations, finance, legal and R&D. The company is due to move shortly to a new location on St. Stephen’s Green in Dublin.
Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade & Employment, Leo Varadkar TD said: “This is very welcome news, and the employment will be of significant benefit to Waterford and the broader South East Region. It’s great to see a company with an established presence expanding its Irish operations in a regional location. It demonstrates Horizon’s commitment to Ireland and will allow the company to avail of the rich talent pool in this sector in the region.”
IDA Ireland CEO Martin Shanahan said: “I am delighted Horizon has chosen to establish its first in-house manufacturing facility in Waterford. Horizon is one of the next generation of high growth biotech companies and this substantial investment is another positive development in Ireland’s growing biopharma industry. In addition to the jobs and economic benefits of this project to Waterford, the South East and Ireland, Horizon will add to the growing pharmaceutical cluster in the South East, which to date includes EirGen, MSD, Teva, and Sanofi. I wish Horizon every success with this new manufacturing facility in Waterford and wish EirGen Pharma continued success with its Irish operations in Waterford where they are a substantial and valued employer.”
Speaking about the project today, Horizon’s Chairman, President & CEO, Tim Walbert said: "With the successful TEPEZZA launch, ongoing KRYSTEXXA growth and the growth of our marketed medicine portfolio and pipeline it is the right time to add in-house manufacturing capabilities. Adding to our strong network of contract manufacturing organizations, this facility will also play an important role in our global expansion. We look forward to leveraging our existing technical operations expertise in Ireland, along with the expertise of the EirGen employees, to build a robust and effective manufacturing operation that will enable us to meet the unmet needs of people impacted by rare diseases around the world.”
EirGen Pharma CEO Damien Burke said: “It is a progressive move for both parties and for Waterford. This transaction facilitates the expansion of our global Oral Solid Dose business to support our growing portfolio as well as allowing this Sterile Fill Finish team to be successful within a Global Fill Finish operation. It will also offer additional career opportunities for both companies within the Life Sciences industry to Waterford.”
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