Welcome jobs boost for Tullamore announced today

Tullamore-based Zoetis Inc has announced the creation of 80 to 100 new jobs over the next three years as it plans a major expansion of its manufacturing and development facility in the town.

Based in Sragh Business and Technology Park, Rahan Road, the firm which is described as the world's leading animal health company, said today that the expansion, subject to approvals, could break ground in early 2022 and become fully operational by 2025.

Already employing 90 scientists and technicians in Tullamore, Zoetis said the planned expansion of the existing facility in Tullamore will strengthen and diversify the Zoetis global manufacturing and supply network, enabling it to meet growing commercial demand and support future growth in veterinary biopharmaceuticals.

The growth of the site will “significantly increase its capacity for producing veterinary monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) over time,” it explained, adding that these therapeutic biopharmaceuticals are the latest breakthroughs in animal medicine from Zoetis’ innovative pipeline of products.

Sold in 100 countries worldwide, some of Zoetis’ flagship biopharmaceutical products include Cytopoint, Librela, and Solensia. Cytopoint, the first monoclonal antibody for use in animals, targets and neutralises itch for dogs with allergic or atopic dermatitis, while Librela, and Solensia help alleviate osteoarthritis pain in dogs and cats, respectively.

The current Tullamore site supports development and manufacturing services across all phases of biopharmaceutical development and commercialisation, including the manufacture of Solensia, the company confirmed.

This latest investment will potentially create 80-100 new jobs over the next three years, with some roles beginning to phase in later this year, Zoetis confirmed in a statement on Tuesday morning.

The Tullamore site became part of the Zoetis network when it acquired from Nexvet Biopharma in 2017.

The announcement was welcomed by the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise Trade and Employment Leo Varadkar TD who said: “The decision of Zoetis to further extend its footprint here and expand its Tullamore facility is really fantastic news and a testament to the existing team. The Midlands has a wealth of talent to draw from and I wish the company the very best with this latest development,” he added.

“This site has undergone significant investment and development since 2017. In preparation for the commercial launch of Solensia, Zoetis invested in the site to scale our manufacturing process to meet demand and has grown the team accordingly,” said Conor O’Dea, Site Lead, who has managed the site for 20 years.

“With the high concentration of biologic manufacturing sites in the area and the skilled Irish workforce, we have built a strong team with extensive experience in all aspects of biopharmaceuticals manufacture, process development, Quality, Engineering and Supply Chain – and we look forward to developing it further with this investment. The expansion will offer current and future employees tremendous experience and career opportunities."

Minister of State for Trade Promotion, Digital and Company Regulation​, Robert Troy, also welcomed the jobs boost for Tullamore: “I am delighted that Zoetis is to expand its already impressive operation in Tullamore. This is a very welcome announcement for the local and wider Midland’s region and demonstrates that the Midlands has the skills, talent, people, and connectivity that will enable companies like Zoetis to embed and grow its operations here. Regional job creation is a key priority of this Government and by putting down deeper roots in the region, I’m sure Zoetis will generate substantial spin-off economic benefits to the region.”

“We’re proud to strengthen our presence in Tullamore. We have had great success with the current high-quality manufacturing site and the experienced workforce already operating there,” said Roman Trawicki, Zoetis Executive Vice President and President, Global Manufacturing and Supply.

“This expansion will augment our manufacturing footprint and leverage existing expertise to further diversity our manufacturing network and increase capacity for monoclonal antibodies, an area of tremendous growth for Zoetis,” he said.

“Today’s announcement by Zoetis on the expansion of its Irish operation is welcome. This biotech facility by the world’s leading veterinary medicines company adds another globally established name to the significant and growing cluster of biopharma companies operating in Ireland which sees substantial investment annually in Biopharma R&D by IDA client companies,” according to IDA Ireland CEO Martin Shanahan.

“This expansion demonstrates Zoetis’ confidence in the highly skilled and talented workforce available in the Midlands and exemplifies IDA Ireland’s continued commitment to winning jobs and investment in regional locations."

The Tullamore expansion, builds on Zoetis’ current operations in Ireland, which includes commercial offices and manufacturing sites, employing more than 450 people.

The company’s Cherrywood Dublin office is the headquarters for its International Commercial Operations and Global Manufacturing and Supply organisations as well as the home of local commercial operations for Ireland.

In addition to Tullamore, Zoetis has two manufacturing sites in Ireland in Rathdrum, Co Wicklow, and in Tallaght.

“I am delighted to see Zoetis continue to expand its presence in Ireland, supporting a thriving animal health industry here and helping to advance animal care around the world,” said Roy Geary, General Manager, Zoetis Ireland.

“The expansion of Tullamore will build on our existing Irish commercial and manufacturing operations in Dublin, Rathdrum and Tallaght and support  not only our Irish veterinarians and livestock producers, but also our customers and partners in more than 100 countries around the world where we market our products,” he commented.

The expansion news was also welcomed today by local Minister Pippa Hackett.

“Zoetis is a global animal health company, and the world’s largest producer of medicines and vaccinations for pets and livestock. We know the Midlands has a wealth of highly skilled people, and this investment is testament to the confidence Zoetis has in that talent."