Midlands Pharma Facility To Receive €432m In Funding

Monday, 2 March 2026 09:28

Novo Nordisk employs over 260 people in Athlone.

A Midlands pharmaceutical company is investing over €400 million for its manufacturing facility.

Novo Nordisk's Athlone base is to receive €432 million in funding which will allow Ireland to serve as a hub for servicing markets outside the US.

The investment will support the upgrade and retrofit of the facility, as well as enhancing Novo Nordisk’s capacity to manufacture oral products.

The plant currently employs over 260 employees, with construction set to create up to 600 jobs and is hoping to be finalised from the end of 2027 through 2028.

Speaking at the announcement in Athlone, Minister for Enterprise, Tourism and Employment, Peter Burke said: “Today’s investment announcement is a vote of confidence in Athlone, the Midlands and the skilled workforce we have worked hard to develop.

It will help drive innovation, create highly skilled jobs and further strengthen Ireland’s pharmaceutical ecosystem. Ireland hosts 9 of the top 10 global pharma companies, producing a significant portion of the world's most innovative drugs, solidifying our country’s role as a central hub for pharmaceutical manufacturing.

I commend Novo Nordisk on this milestone investment, which underpins Ireland’s robust competitiveness in the life sciences sector and is a testimony to the role the Midlands plays in pharma innovation in Ireland.”

“With the investment in the Athlone facility, Novo Nordisk is expanding its production capacities for oral products, which will enable us to meet both current and future global demand outside the US,” added Kasper Bodker Mejlvang, EVP CMC and Product Supply, Novo Nordisk.

“This investment, a historic milestone for Novo Nordisk in Ireland, marks our continued commitment to Athlone, Ireland and our highly skilled employees while allowing us to make a difference for millions of people living with serious chronic diseases.”

Michael Lohan, CEO, IDA concluded by saying: ‘’This significant investment by Novo Nordisk demonstrates the strength of Ireland’s value proposition as location for innovation and underlines the importance of regional balance in driving sustainable economic growth. Athlone continues to prove its ability to attract large scale, high-value manufacturing projects, supported by a skilled workforce and collaborative ecosystem. This expansion reinforces Athlone as a vital contributor to Ireland’s life sciences sector and our long-term regional development ambitions.’’