US biotech firm announces expansion and 50 Irish jobs

US BIOTECHNOLOGY company, Genzyme has announced a second major drug manufacturing project for its Irish operations in as many weeks.

The Boston-based company has obtained the green light from the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to finish, package and label its Thymoglobulin product — which treats acute rejection in kidney transplant patients — in Waterford.

“This approval continues the development of our supply strategy with Waterford serving as our major European production and distribution centre,” said Mark Bamforth, Genzyme’s senior vice president for corporate operations and pharmaceuticals.