Allergan recently opened a new €160 million state-of-the-art Biologics 2 facility at its Westport Campus in Co. Mayo, Ireland. The new facility will create 63 jobs and enhance Ireland’s position as a global hub for Allergans’ flagship products, including the blockbuster Botox. The new facility and famous cosmetic skin injection brand will soon fall into AbbVie’s hands with the conclusion of the ongoing regulatory approval process for AbbVie’s acquisition of Allergan anticipated in the first quarter of this year. The new facility brings Allergan’s total investment in Ireland since it began operations in the country to more than €750 million.
 
The Biologics 2 facility at Allergan Westport will feature new manufacturing suites to meet growing global demand for Allergan’s flagship products. As part of a strategic expansion to support the next generation of biologics innovation it will feature a new state-of-the-art microbiology and cell-based laboratory with world-class technology and research and development capabilities to support advances in discovery, development and manufacturing. 
 
Coinciding with the opening of the Biologics 2 facility, Allergan recently marked the shipping of the 100 millionth vial of Botox from the Westport campus as Allergan marked 30 years since the product first received FDA approval.
  
“It gives me great pride to mark the global opening of our Biologics 2 facility here in Westport as we embark on the next chapter next chapter of growth and innovation for Allergan’s botulinum toxin brand and other biologics products,” said Wayne Swanton, executive vice president of global operations, Allergan. “The sensitivity of biologics in the manufacturing process is like no other. It requires a level of exactness in manufacturing and handling throughout the whole supply chain around the world, which is truly unique. That journey starts here in Westport on the west coast of Ireland with a team of over 1,300 passionate and highly skilled people who have been integral to growing our products to the scale we see today and delivering impact for patients.
  
Paul Coffey, vice president global manufacturing (eyecare and biologics) and site lead at Allergan Westport, said, “This €160 million investment underpins Allergans commitment to advancement in the biologics arena and we are delighted that Ireland is home to this strategic expansion. Our Westport campus is the largest and most complex in Allergans global network. Our new biologics facility, added to our existing biologics facility, will allow us to meet continued global demand for Allergans flagship products. With the addition of a new microbiology and cell-based laboratory too, the team here in Westport are looking forward to contributing to product innovations that will make a difference to patients’ lives all over the world and maintain our position at the forefront of the global biopharma industry.”