J&J Plans Major Complex In Ireland; 330 New Jobs

Johnson & Johnson subsidiary Centocor is to erect a world-scale biopharma production complex at Barnahely, Ireland, at a cost of EUR 700 M. The unit will have fermentation and purification facilities and a process development centre, and will make commercial and clinical trial quantities of therapeutic monoclonal antibodies. 330 will be employed. Completion is set for mid-2010. The Irish government says it has agreed financial support for the project, subject to European Union approval. The complex will help meet demand for the development and production of biopharmaceuticals, "which is expected to accelerate at a rapid pace", according to Centocor. Most analysts forecast that there will be sufficient capacity among custom manufacturers and pharma companies to meet the demands of the biopharma market for the next few years. But development of a major blockbuster drug could lead to a shortage of large-scale capacity.