US-headquartered generic drug manufacturer Amneal Pharmaceuticals is to create up to 300 new jobs

US-headquartered generic drug manufacturer Amneal Pharmaceuticals is to create up to 300 new jobs in Tipperary following its acquisition of the former Johnson & Johnson plant in Cashel.

The 200,000 square foot facility was sold to Amneal by Singapore-based investment firm Solidus Private Equity. The former Johnson & Johnson plant had been vacant for four years before being acqured by Solidus earlier this year.

Amneal said the Cashel site will be dedicated to R&D and production of metered dose and dry powder inhalers as well as biosimilars .

Amneal co-chief executive Chintu Patel said the company expects to hire an estimated 250-300 employees at full build-out. From its start in 2002 as a contract drug manufacturer, Amneal has grown dramatically to its current position as the 7th largest US generics supplier by volume.

“Our new Ireland facility is critical to Amneal’s long-term global growth, in Europe, the US and throughout the world,” Chintu Patel, Amneal co-CEO and co-chairman

IDA Ireland chief executive Martin Shanahan said regional development is a core part of the agency’s strategy.

“This announcement is great news for Tipperary and the whole of the South East region. That Amneal has chosen to locate in a facility that had been occupied previously is especially pleasing” 

Martin Shanahan, Chief Executive, IDA Ireland