Amgen's South San Francisco headquarters.

US biotechnology giant Amgen and the Irish Government today announced the start of a $200 million-plus expansion programme in Ireland that is expected to result in the creation of 100 jobs. The Taoiseach, Enda Kenny T.D. and the Tánaiste, Eamon Gilmore T.D. officiated at the groundbreaking ceremony today, marking the commencement of a major construction programme at the Amgen plant at Pottery Road, in Dún Laoghaire, Co Dublin.  The investment is supported by the Irish Government through IDA Ireland.

The $200-plus million expansion programme will include the construction of an approximately 11,700 square metres building extension, new production plant, expanded warehouse and the major refurbishment of the existing buildings. In addition, a significant research and development investment will also see the Dun Laoghaire facility undergo a major technology process enhancement to transform the plant into one of the leading biotechnology manufacturing sites in the world.  

Today’s announcement comes almost a year after Amgen purchased the former Pfizer plant in Dún Laoghaire, resulting in the continuation of all 280 jobs at the site. The expansion will result in the creation of up to 100 new roles within Amgen, in addition to approximately 350 construction jobs during the 19-month building period.  Recruitment for the Amgen positions has already commenced, and many more will be employed in a contract capacity.

The San Francisco Chronicle reports that George B. Rathmann, whose passion for science and business helped build Amgen into the world's largest biotechnology company, died Sunday at home in Palo Alto, California. He was 84.

Dr. Rathmann, widely regarded as one of the fathers of the biotech industry, had been treated for kidney failure for several years and died of pneumonia, his son James Rathmann said.

Part of his treatment included a version of EPO (or Epogen), one of the drugs that turned Amgen into a biotech powerhouse.

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