Biotechnology company Shire are to create 400 new jobs

Meath is to see 400 new jobs become available as Dublin-based biotechnology company Shire are to build a $400m biologics manufacturing plant in Piercetown. RTÉ report that the new state-of-the-art plant will employ 400 high-skilled workers at the site between Dunboyne and Dunshaughlin, and 700 people will be temporarily employed during the plant's construction. The company develops speciality treatments for rare diseases, also working in gastrointestinal medicine and neuroscience. Shire employ 100 people already in their Irish office. "Ireland is an attractive location for many industries, but for the life sciences and biotechnology sectors in particular," said Martin Shanahan, CEO of the IDA. "These are sectors in which we excel and we are very pleased that Shire is building on its existing presence here with the development of a new campus at Piercetown, Co Meath."