Ireland mulls $6B biopharma center

Irish media outlets are reporting that plans are in the works for a massive pharmaceutical "center of excellence" in Tralee in County Kerry. The $6 billion project could create up to 4,800 jobs R&D and manufacturing; 116 spots for academic professionals, 321 jobs for corporate management executives and 4,380 graduate student positions, according to the Irish Examiner.

Cork-based pharma company Pharmadel is driving the project, with Anglo Irish Bank chairman Alan Dukes also participating. Ireland's Department of Enterprise said its waiting on a more detailed submission for the plan, which calls for 30 campuses. The group claims its center would be the largest employment sites in the country and one of the largest R&D sites in the world. Work could begin as early as 2012.

"We would like to confirm we are engaged in ongoing negotiations to secure the Global Pharmaceutical Centre of Excellence for Tralee," the group said in a statement. "It is a long and difficult process and it shall be up to three months before we can announce a conclusive outcome." In-PharmaTechnologist notes that Ireland has had increasing difficulty competing with less expensive R&D and manufacturing sites, making it necessary for the country to boost its appeal to pharmaceutical firms looking for business locations.

- see the Irish Examiner article
- here's more from in-PharmaTechnologist