Abbott announces expansion of Sligo facility

Abbott has announced plans to expand the capabilities of its Irish pharmaceutical manufacturing facility in Sligo.

The company will be investing 85 million euros (71.24 million pounds) between now and 2014 in order to provide additional space for manufacturing operations, which will help support Abbott's future pharmaceutical pipeline and global production network.

Key products in the areas of virology, oncology and nephrology will be developed at the expanded facility, which will necessitate the creation of around 175 highly skilled positions.

The pharmaceutical company now has 13 manufacturing, commercial and shared services sites across Ireland, employing nearly 4,000 people.

Dr Azita Saleki-Gerhardt, president for global pharmaceutical operations at Abbott, said: "Sligo is an important part of Abbott's pharmaceutical manufacturing network and we are pleased to expand it to support future production needs."

Earlier this month, the company announced a new partnership with the Drugs for Neglected Diseases initiative to conduct research into serious tropical diseases.