New jobs for Waterford – Horizon Therapeutics has reached an agreement to purchase a manufacturing facility from EirGen Pharma.

New jobs for Waterford – Horizon Therapeutics has reached an agreement to purchase a manufacturing facility from EirGen Pharma.

Green Party TD for Waterford Marc Ó Cathasaigh welcomes today’s announcement of new jobs for Waterford with the news that Horizon Therapeutics has reached an agreement to purchase a manufacturing facility from EirGen Pharma in Waterford. 

Horizon Therapeutics focus on researching, developing and manufacturing medicines for people impacted by rare, autoimmune and severe inflammatory diseases.  Their global headquarters is in Dublin and this significant expansion into Waterford shines a light on the highly skilled Pharma workforce in the South East. 

Speaking after the announcement, Deputy Ó Cathasaigh said:

“Today is a good news day for Waterford and a vote of confidence in our highly skilled work force. We have a strong and growing Pharma sector within the city and county and these new jobs will being benefits to the entire region. It is great to see a business with a Dublin headquarters recognize the value of expanding into the regions.”

He added:

“EirGen’s existing and highly skilled staff have a technical expertise which Horizon will use as part of their global expansion with plans to release new medicine within the next 2 years. This will further enhance Waterford’s reputation as a leader in the Pharma sector and will create new career opportunities for Waterford graduates.”

Based in Waterford, EirGen Pharma develops and supplies specialty care medicines to patients in more than 50 countries worldwide. It was established in 2005 and is part of OPKO Health since 2015. Horizon will acquire the facility for a $65 million (€54.6 million). As part of the transaction, approximately 40 EirGen employees will transfer to Horizon with the recruitment of 50 additional staff in 2021 and 2022.