Amgen’s purchase of Pfizer plant to save jobs

AMGEN is to purchase Pfizer’s Dun Laoghaire manufacturing facility in a deal that could save 240 jobs.

The transaction is expected to close in the second quarter of this year with minimal job losses, the companies said.

The Pfizer plant is a 37,000 sq m facility with freeze dry product and liquid-vial filling operations.

The announcement said the majority of the 240 employees “will transfer” to Amgen under the terms of the deal.

Pfizer will consult with transferring staff about the implications of the transfer for them, it said.

A smaller group of about 40 staff is to stay with Pfizer as part of the agreed deal.

“As we expand internationally, the Dublin site will help us deliver a growing supply of Amgen medicines for patients worldwide,” said Madhu Balachandran, senior vice president of Amgen Manufacturing.

“We are impressed with the technical expertise and commitment to excellence demonstrated by the employees who work at the Dun Laoghaire site and look forward to welcoming them to Amgen’s global manufacturing team.”

Balachandran thanked IDA Ireland and the Irish Government for their support in securing the deal with Pfizer.

Paul Duffy, primary care vice president at Pfizer Global Supply, described the move as “a good day for colleagues and for Ireland Inc as it proves we remain an attractive location for high-calibre investment”.

He added: “We worked determinedly with IDA Ireland to sell the Dublin facility in order that employment could be retained and I wish to thank colleagues for their continued commitment throughout the process. We continue to actively engage in exploring opportunities to divest our Loughbeg and Shanbally plants in Cork and remain focused on delivering successful outcomes.”