Aerie Pharmaceuticals has entered into a lease agreement with IDA Ireland to establish a new manufacturing plant in the recently constructed IDA Advanced Technology Building in Athlone, Ireland.
The Athlone facility will house Aerie’s first manufacturing plant which is expected to produce commercial supplies for Aerie’s current product candidates, RhopressaTM and RoclatanTM. If approved, these products are expected to offer the first new mechanisms of action for treatment of patients with glaucoma in some 20 years.
Estimated project-wide construction and equipment costs are expected to total approximately €25 million (excluding ongoing labor-related and lease expenses) and commercial product supply for RhopressaTM, if approved, is expected to be available by 2020.
The project is supported by the Department of Jobs, Enterprise & Innovation through IDA Ireland.
Aerie has commenced its design plan for the facility and expects to begin internal construction in early 2017. The company will initially create up to 50 new jobs in sterile manufacturing, quality, engineering and other support capabilities.
Commenting on the announcement, Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation, Mary Mitchell O’Connor TD said, "The Midlands is a fantastic place to invest and Aerie’s choice to locate its manufacturing facility in IDA Ireland’s new building there is particularly welcome."
She added, "As we pass the 200,000 mark for people employed in overseas companies in Ireland, we need to continue to ensure a good spread of jobs throughout the regions. I wish Aerie all the best with their investment in Athlone."
Source: www.businessworld.ie
