HEALTHCARE and biopharmaceutical multinational Eli Lilly plans to invest over €400 million in a brand-new manufacturing facility in Limerick.
The proposed project is expected to create more than 300 new jobs for highly skilled workers such as engineers, scientists and operations personnel, while an estimated 500 additional positions will be required while the facility is under construction.
The investment project is subject to planning approval and the company will submit a planning application with Limerick City and County Council in the coming weeks.
The new facility will expand Lilly’s manufacturing network for biologic active ingredients, support increased demand for existing Lilly products and play a key role in bringing Lilly’s robust clinical pipeline, including its promising Alzheimer’s portfolio, to patients around the world.
Fianna Fáil TD for Clare Cathal Crowe welcomed the news saying, “Today’s announcement by Eli Lilly is a solid endorsement by a major global company in the potential of the Midwest region as a place to do business. We are fast establishing this region as the go-to place for pharmaceutical companies to set up in Ireland.”
“Limerick city’s position on the border of South East Clare also means that many of the 800 jobs associated with this development will be filled by Clare workers.
“I hope that Eli Lilly’s investment in the Midwest also leads to other major pharma companies looking to this region for their Irish operations.
“The Shannon Free Zone already is home to many such companies and its unique position between two major cities and right next to an airport makes it the ideal spot for further development. I look forward to working with the IDA in ensuring that the regional growth of the Midwest continues in earnest.”
Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise Trade & Employment Leo Varadkar said: “This is fantastic news for Limerick and indeed the entire region. The Mid-West has become a real hub for
leading biopharma companies such as Lilly and I’m really pleased that the company has chosen Limerick for its new manufacturing centre, investing over €400m and creating 300 new, permanent
jobs and a further 500 jobs during construction.
Fantastic news for Limerick today. Subject to planning, @LillyPad has chosen Limerick for its new manufacturing centre, investing over €400m and creating 300 new, permanent jobs over next 4 yrs and 500 jobs during construction. Congratulations to the entire team pic.twitter.com/KFMhzR8M6J
— Leo Varadkar (@LeoVaradkar) January 28, 2022
“Lilly produces crucial healthcare products which are making a huge difference to the lives of patients around the world fighting some of the world’s most serious illnesses. This new manufacturing centre is a significant expansion of that work and I wish the entire team the very best with the project.”
Senior vice president and president, Lilly Manufacturing Operations Edgardo Hernandez said: “Over the past 40 years, we have continued to invest in Ireland in part because of supportive
government policies that value life science innovation.
“This new Lilly campus in Limerick will allow us to expand our capacity to make innovative new medicines that can help treat some of the world’s most serious illnesses. This facility will use the latest technology to support advancements in science, productivity and sustainability, further establishing Lilly as a global manufacturing leader.”
CEO of IDA Ireland, Martin Shanahan said: “An investment of this scale by Lilly is very welcome news for the Mid-West Region and indeed Ireland, where the global healthcare brand has had a presence since 1978.”
“Lilly employs more than 2300 people in Cork and the decision to significantly expand its footprint into the Mid-West region with the proposed construction of a new biopharmaceutical manufacturing facility on a greenfield site in Limerick demonstrates the confidence Lilly has in Ireland and the region’s strong talent pool.
“The regional economy will also substantially benefit from the approx. 500 jobs in the construction of this proposed facility. I wish to assure Lilly of IDA Ireland’s continued support.”