Pharmaceutical company PPD Lab has announced the creation of 180 jobs over the next three years at its Athlone laboratory as it expands its operations there.
PPD plans to increase the size of its current facility in Athlone and will add cell and gene therapy testing to the operation's portfolio of services.
It said its expansion will enhance its ability to deliver global scientific and technical expertise to meet growing customer demand in Europe, the Middle East and Africa and the Asia-Pacific region.
The current operation employs nearly 300 highly skilled scientists and project managers who support PPD's services, which includes testing to support the development of novel and advanced pharmaceuticals and therapies.
IDA Ireland is supporting the company's expansion.
Christopher Fikry, MD, Executive Vice President of PPD, said the expansion will enable the company to provide customers with additional services aimed at reducing time to market for new drug products in important areas such as cell and gene therapies.
"We are thankful our expansion has been welcomed and supported by the Irish Government and IDA Ireland, and we're confident these new developments will benefit our customers," he added.
Martin Shanahan, the CEO of IDA Ireland said the announcement by PPD demonstrates the company's commitment to Ireland and the Midlands Region where it has been in operation for more than 10 years.
"It will allow the company to avail itself of the rich talent pool that exists in the Midlands and will provide an economic and employment boost to the local and wider Midlands region," the IDA CEO said.
Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise Trade and Employment Leo Varadkar also said the PPD news is "a really positive development for Athlone and the Midlands Region".
Minister of State at the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment with responsibility for Trade Promotion Robert Troy said this is a significant expansion for PPD, which will result in the creation of 180 jobs for highly skilled scientists.
"This announcement demonstrates that Athlone and the Midlands region have the skills, talent, people and connectivity that will enable companies like PPD to embed and grow their operations here," he added.
As well as the lab in Athlone, PPD Laboratories has operations in the US, China, Belgium and Singapore.
