Elan to create 120 jobs in Athlone

THE pharmaceutical company Elan has marked its turnaround from near-oblivion by announcing the creation of 120 jobs at its headquarters in Athlone.

The company said it plans to invest €35 million in a new biopharmaceutical facility at its base in Athlone, where the jobs will be created over the next five years.

The Athlone plant had been the centre of its main operations since the company was formed and it currently employs just under 450 people. It suffered heavy job losses when Elan fell into a financial crisis in 2002 when several hundred jobs were lost at Athlone.