The company is also adding a 35,000 foot extension to its existing lab.
180 jobs are being created at a pharmaceutical company in Westmeath over the next three years.
US company PPD has announced it's expanding its lab in Athlone.
Almost 300 highly skilled scientists and project managers are currently employed by Pharmaceutical Product Development, which opened its Irish base in the IDA campus in Garrycastle a little over 10 years ago.
And it's set to gain another 180 employees between now and 2024, as it enhance its capabilities in bio-pharmaceutical testing.
The company has also announced a 35,000 foot expansion to its Athlone lab, which is expected to be fully functional by mid-2022.
The sod has already been turned on the project.
Midlands Regional Development Manager with the IDA, Ken Whitelaw says while the company has operations in 47 countries, Athlone was an obvious contender for expansion:
PPD is excited to announce the upcoming expansion of our good manufacturing practices (GMP) lab in Athlone, Ireland >>https://t.co/PLq10fWpMr pic.twitter.com/ruFWqQeRmr
— PPD (@PPDCRO) April 28, 2021
Longford-Westmeath Fine Gael TD and Junior Minister Peter Burke says it solidifies the town's position as a national leader for top quality jobs in the pharma sector:
His constituency colleague, Fianna Fáil TD and Junior Minister for Trade, Robert Troy says Athlone IT's presence encourages expansions like this:
Fine Gael Senator, Longford's Micheál Carrigy also says:
“It’s really encouraging to see PPD are continuing to invest in its Athlone operations in an expansion that will create 180 jobs over three years and significantly add to the capabilities of the company’s current facility. This is a really positive development for Athlone and the midlands region."
€200,000 In Cash And Substantial Amount Of Drugs Seized In Laois
Massive Laois Operation Leads To Multiple Arrests In Connection With Stolen Vehicles
Over 300 New Dwellings Completed In The Midlands This Year
Concerns Raised Over Emergency Power Plant In The Midlands
National Ploughing Association Appoints New President, Chair And Vice-Chair
Offaly Boy 'Raring To Go' After Life-Saving Procedure
Over €7m In Just Transition Funding For The Midlands
Cancer Numbers Could Double By 2045 - Offaly Charity
First-Ever Laois Cost-Rental Homes Officially Opened
Late Laois Two-Year-Old's Organs Used To Save Three Children
State Expects To Exceed 2023 Midlands Housing Delivery
Abolishment Of Carer's Means Test May Be Halted By "Permanent Government"
Ryanair Calling On EU To Protect Flights Amid French Air Strikes
Low Cost Home Heating Loans The Final Piece Of Retrofitting Jigsaw - Pippa Hackett
Gardaí Advising Motorists To Avoid Midlands Road
Drugs Are Being Drone-Dropped Into Midlands Prison
Laois County Council Votes To Adopt New Local Area Plan
100k Children Missed Out On Dental School Screening In 2023
Prison Inmates' Mental Health Being Impacted By Over Crowding
Plans For Cycling And Walking Trails Across Midlands Bogs