Alkermes plc recently announced the establishment of its corporate operations in Ireland, with new headquarters located in Dublin. The company, including its headquarters and operations in Athlone, County Westmeath, has more than 450 employees based in Ireland and more than 1,200 employees worldwide.
Alkermes plc was created following the merger of Alkermes, Inc. with Elan Drug Technologies (EDT), the profitable, world-class drug formulation and manufacturing business unit that was formerly a part of Elan Corporation, plc.
Marking its first day of operations in Ireland, Alkermes has announced a multiyear, multimillion dollar manufacturing agreement with one of the world’s top 10 pharmaceutical companies. Under the terms of the agreement, Alkermes will manufacture the company’s finished pharmaceutical product, which will be produced at Alkermes’ Athlone, Ireland, facility. Alkermes expects this agreement to generate $15 million to $20 million in annual manufacturing revenues by 2016. The Athlone facility is one of three major manufacturing plants owned by Alkermes plc at which the company produces proprietary, partnered, and contract-manufactured drug products.
“Alkermes plc’s decision to establish its headquarters in Ireland is further demonstration of this country’s continued ability to attract companies, like Alkermes, in growth industries, to set up operations here,” said Mr. John Perry TD, Minister of State for Small Business. “Today’s announcement showcases that Ireland is very much open for business and is an excellent location to host operations of multinational companies. The additional announcement of a new contract for the Athlone facility is an indication of its track-record for successful innovation and high-quality manufacturing.”
“We are a strong, global company with a diversified product portfolio, and we look forward to accelerating our growth to create value in our business and for the patients we serve,” added Richard Pops, Chief Executive Officer of Alkermes. “Alkermes is excited to have our operations based in Ireland, which we view as a gateway to the European Union and global pharmaceutical market.”
Alkermes plc is a fully integrated, global biopharmaceutical company that applies its scientific expertise and proprietary technologies to develop innovative medicines that improve patient outcomes. The company has a diversified portfolio of more than 20 commercial drug products and a substantial clinical pipeline of product candidates that address central nervous system (CNS) disorders, such as addiction, schizophrenia and depression. Headquartered in Dublin, Ireland, Alkermes plc has an R&D center in Waltham, MA, and manufacturing facilities in Athlone, Ireland; Gainesville, Georgia; and Wilmington, OH.
