Lilly's €35m Kinsale plan

ELI Lilly is set to invest €35m in delivering a new high-tech manufacturing facility at its Kinsale campus.

The company is using pioneering technology that has the potential to transform how medicines are made in the future.

It is hoped the facility at Dunderrow will be operational by early 2017 and that the development will see the Kinsale site becoming the centre of excellence for continuous manufacturing for active pharmaceutical ingredients (API) for Lilly worldwide.

The investment is being supported by the Department of Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation through IDA Ireland.

A spokesperson for the company said that while there will be significant construction jobs in the project, the expansion will not mean any additional jobs at Eli Lilly. 

Noting that Lilly celebrates 140 years in business next month, chief executive Dr John Lechleiter said that since the Kinsale site was established 35 years ago, it has contributed significantly to the success of the company and has developed a strong reputation for delivery. 

This investment follows a major biotech investment programme at Kinsale over the past eight years, which so far has resulted in an investment of €650m and the recruitment of 350 additional employees at the site.

Acting Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation, Richard Bruton TD, said that pharma is a key sector which is being targeted by the State as part of its jobs plan. ‘Winning investments from major world-leading companies like Lilly brings enormous benefits to Ireland. Not only are the direct jobs of huge importance to a town like Kinsale, but the heavy investments made by major pharma companies like this create massive knock-on impact on the local economy, in the form of extra employment in supply and service companies,’ he said. 

Commenting on the investment, Chris Langan, general manager at Kinsale, said: ‘Building on the strong technical capability already in place in Kinsale, the team is highly motivated to undertake this project as it offers a significant new opportunity for the site.  

‘The company is amongst the industry leaders in the development of this technology, and it is an exciting project for everyone involved here at the site.’

Welcoming the announcement IDA boss Martin Shanahan said that pharmaceutical companies such as Lilly continue to choose Ireland for a number of reasons. 

‘One of the main reasons is the world-class pharma infrastructure and skilled workforce in Ireland.  This investment demonstrates Lilly’s enduring commitment to Ireland.  It also further illustrates Ireland’s position as a leading location for the development and manufacture of pharmaceutical and biopharmaceuticals medicines.’

Lilly has been in Ireland for over 35 years and now employs around 1,000 people throughout its three operations – Kinsale, Cork city and Dublin – involved in bulk pharmaceutical, biopharmaceutical manufacturing, financial shared services, marketing and sales.

Cork Chamber said it was delighted to welcome Eli Lilly’s announcement. 

‘Such an investment is testament to the highly skilled team and track record of the existing operations in Ireland and specifically in Kinsale,’ said president Barrie O’Connell.