50 biotechnology jobs to be created at Genzyme

WATERFORD-BASED biotechnology company Genzyme Ireland is celebrating the 25th anniversary of its establishment in Boston with confirmation that 50 jobs are to be created in the south-east by the end of the year.

The company, which arrived in Waterford in May 2001, already employs 300 people

Genzyme Ireland, where almost €250 million has been invested to date, supplies the global market with Renagel which is used in the treatment of chronic kidney disease for patients on dialysis.

The most recent expansion of Genzyme’s facilities at Waterford added a biological fill and finish centre to support the growth of protein and anti-body products manufactured at other Genzyme sites.

It is the European fill and finish centre for Genzyme’s enzyme replacement therapies for rare genetic diseases, and for a medication that treats acute rejection in patients after a kidney transplant.

Work is also well advanced on construction of a manufacturing building which will be the third on the site.

This will see the introduction of new products and line extensions expanding Genzyme’s renal franchise.