Global biologics technology platform WuXi Biologics has announced plans to develop a $240 million (€216m) vaccine production facility in Dundalk.

The new facility will be located on the company's newly established WuXi Biologics Campus in Dundalk, bringing the total employment at the site to 600 by 2024. It will be delivered by WuXi Vaccines, a joint venture between WuXi Biologics and Hile Bio-pharmaceutical.

Speaking at the announcement in Dundalk this morning, 22 November, Minister for Business, Enterprise & Innovation Heather Humphreys TD said: "I am delighted to announce 200 highly-skilled jobs in WuXi Vaccines, which is in addition to the 400 roles announced last year by WuXi Biologics for Dundalk. Without a doubt, this is a great win for the North-East and a huge vote of confidence in the local workforce. The Government is fully committed to regional development and ensuring that every region benefits from employment gains. Today's announcement demonstrates, once again, that the Border region is a very attractive location in which to invest."

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The new investment, for which a planning application was submitted to Louth County Council last month is being supported by the Irish Government through IDA Ireland.

The construction of the WuXi Biologics contract manufacturing facility on the campus, which is scheduled for commercial production in 2022, is underway and it is currently hiring for senior roles. It has been designed using single-use and flexible scale-out production technology. The facility will have the capability to run multiple batches simultaneously, in small or large volumes as required to deliver biologics at lower Cost of Goods (COGS) than traditional systems.

The facility will have the capacity to manufacture highly specialised biologics in small or large volumes in compliance with US FDA and EU EMA regulations for global pharma companies bringing exciting new job opportunities to the region.

Commenting on the development of the WuXi Biologics Campus in Dundalk, Brendan McGrath, WuXi Biologics Ireland Site Head and Vice President said: "Dundalk's potential to become a global hub for biologics contract manufacturing has moved one step closer to reality. As a leading global open-access biologics technology platform, WuXi Biologics' global reach and operations currently counts most of the world's leading biopharma companies as customers.

"Reflecting our commitment to breakthrough scientific innovation by 'Follow-the-Molecule' and supporting the production of innovative biologics at effective Cost of Goods (COGS), WuXi Biologics is actively pioneering technologies for continuous production processes, laying solid foundations for exciting biopharma innovation in Dundalk."

(CM/JG)