-- €85 million investment creates greater manufacturing capacity to deliver new medicines for patients
SLIGO, Ireland, June 3, 2014 -- The Chairman and CEO of AbbVie Inc. (NYSE: ABBV) Richard A. Gonzalez, accompanied by other senior leaders of AbbVie, officially opened the company's newly expanded facility in Sligo, Ireland today. The ceremony was attended by the Irish Prime Minister, Enda Kenny.
The site is a strategic asset for AbbVie due to its involvement in the commercialization and manufacturing of AbbVie pipeline products in liver disease, oncology and women's health. The expansion provides increased manufacturing capacity to deliver on AbbVie's existing portfolio of medicines and to support potential new therapies within AbbVie's pipeline.
Since the initial announcement of the expansion in 2012, AbbVie has invested €85 million in the Sligo facility, resulting in the creation of up to 175 highly skilled jobs in Sligo. The new jobs include roles in engineering, quality, pharmaceutical science and other science-based areas. The investment has been supported by the Irish Government through IDA Ireland.
"This investment represents our ongoing commitment to Sligo and Ireland as an important part of AbbVie's biopharmaceutical manufacturing strategy," said Azita Saleki-Gerhardt, Ph.D., Senior Vice President, Operations, AbbVie. "Our presence here in Sligo dates back to 1974, and our success in Ireland is a credit to our dedicated staff and management. This expansion builds capacity for existing products and for potential therapies in our pipeline, such as our investigational, all-oral, interferon-free regimen for the treatment of adult patients with chronic genotype 1 (GT1) hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection."
Globally, approximately 160 million people are chronically infected with hepatitis C[1] and an estimated 3 million to 4 million people are newly infected each year.[2] In Europe, approximately 17.5 million people have chronic hepatitis C,[3] with GT1 as the predominant genotype.[3]
AbbVie is focused on delivering its small molecule and biologics pipeline to address significant unmet medical needs and advance the wellbeing of patients across the therapeutic areas of immunology, liver disease, oncology, neuroscience and kidney disease. The company's unique offerings stem from its 125-year pharmaceutical development heritage combined with the innovative focus of a biotech.
AbbVie's presence in Ireland also includes locations in Dublin and Cork, as well as a second plant in Sligo at Ballytivnan. AbbVie employs more than 400 personnel in Ireland, supporting commercial operations and general operations, and the company was recognized as one of Ireland's Best Workplaces 2014 by the Great Place to Work Institute.
"AbbVie has had a long and deep relationship with Ireland, and today's opening of their new €85 million extension to the Manorhamilton site furthers Ireland's reputation as a leading location for investment for the life sciences sector. The Government's Action Plan for Jobs prioritises measures to support fast-growing sectors like this so we can increase job creation and ensure economic recovery," said An Taoiseach Enda Kenny, T.D.
AbbVie's current global manufacturing network includes 12 sites across the United States, Europe and Puerto Rico, as well as strategic partnerships with third-party manufacturers.
About AbbVie
AbbVie is a global, research-based biopharmaceutical company formed in 2013 following separation from Abbott. The company's mission is to use its expertise, dedicated people and unique approach to innovation to develop and market advanced therapies that address some of the world's most complex and serious diseases. AbbVie employs approximately 25,000 people worldwide and markets medicines in more than 170 countries. For further information on the company and its people, portfolio and commitments, please visit www.abbvie.com. Follow @abbvie on Twitter or view careers on our Facebook or LinkedIn page.
[1] Lavanchy D. Evolving epidemiology of hepatitis C virus. Clin Microbiol Infect. 2011; 17(2):107-15.
[2] World Gastroenterology Organisation. World Gastroenterology Organisation Global Guidelines: Diagnosis, Management and Prevention of Hepatitis C. April 2013. http://www.worldgastroenterology.org/assets/export/userfiles/WGO_Hepatitis%20C_Final%20Version.pdf. Accessed May 21, 2014.
[3] EASL Clinical Practice Guidelines: management of hepatitis C virus infection. European Association for the Study of the Liver. J Hepatol. 2014;60:392-420.
For further information: Media: Adelle Infante, +1-847-938-8745; or In Ireland, Angela Sekston, +1-847-393-6811; or Robert Love, +087-737-7524; or Investors: Liz Shea, +1-847-935-2211