Merck expansion to create 80 jobs in Dublin

The world’s third largest pharmaceutical company Merck & Co is to create 80 jobs in Dublin over the next five years.

New subsidiary - Merck Sharp & Dohme Ireland (Human Health) Limited – is to conduct clinical research, regulatory affairs and marketing support for Merck in Europe and to manage sales and marketing for the Irish market.

Recruitment is already underway – with some positions already filled - in product management, sales, clinical research, medical support and regulatory affairs.

MSD Ireland (Human Health) Limited will provide products for arthritis, asthma, osteoporosis, heart disease and HIV/Aids, as well as a number of specialist hospital products.

It already employs 40 people in sales and marketing and this investment is to increase total employment at the company to 120.

Making the announcement today, Tánaiste Mary Harney said: "This IDA Ireland supported project involves an investment of approximately €5m over the next 12 months and will create over 80 new graduate level jobs within the next five years, based primarily at a new headquarters in Co Dublin."

Merck & Co. Inc. operates a state of the art manufacturing facility in Ballydine, Co Tipperary which was opened in 1976 and currently employs 450 people.

To date the facility has received over €750m investment from the parent company.

Søren Tulstrup, Managing Director, MSD Ireland (Human Health) Limited said: "Our new Irish subsidiary will play a pivotal role in relation to our global clinical research, regulatory and promotional activities.

"Our decision to create a new subsidiary here signals an even broader commitment to Ireland," Tulstrup added.