330 new jobs confirmed in Cork

Johnson & Johnson subsidary Centocor confirmed plans today to build a new plant in Cork, employing 330 people.

Centocor, a global leader in biopharmaceuticals, will provide a high-skills major manufacturing facility at the 100-acre IDA site at Ringaskiddy, Co Cork.

The Tánaiste confirmed that the Government has agreed IDA Ireland support for the proposal, subject to EU approval.

Making the announcement in Cork today the Tánaiste said: “This is a major achievement for IDA Ireland and can only be described as a major coup for the country. I am proud to say that, once again, against intense competition, Ireland has been selected by one of the most successful pharmaceutical companies in the world for such a major investment.”

It is projected that 60% of employees in the new facility will have a science or relevant degree and an additional 10% will hold masters or PhD qualifications.

The biopharmaceutical manufacturing unit at Barnahely, Ringaskiddy will produce monoclonal antibody products for the detection and treatment of many human diseases and the facility will also be used to produce material for clinical trials.

Centocor is a wholly owned subsidiary of Johnson & Johnson, the worldwide manufacturer of healthcare products. Johnson & Johnson employs approximately 109,500 people worldwide.

Johnson & Johnson has four IDA-supported companies in Ireland employing more than 1,300 people.

The jobs are located at Janssen Pharmaceutical in Cork (260 employed), Alza Ireland in Cashel, Co Tipperary (95 employed), DePuy (Ireland) Ltd at Ringaskiddy, Co Cork (515 employed) and Vistakon Ireland Ltd in Limerick (450 employed).