Novo Nordisk confirms details of massive Athlone investment

Novo Nordisk has announced an investment of €432 million in its facility in Athlone.

The investment will facilitate an expansion in its manufacturing facility in Monksland.

This tabletting facility will provide significant additional manufacturing capacity for current and future Novo Nordisk weight loss treatments.

The company said the investment was "a major strategic milestone for the company", which further reinforced its long-term commitment to Ireland and global healthcare innovation.

It provides Novo Nordisk with additional manufacturing capabilities for oral products, enhances supply, and allows Ireland to serve as a critical hub for servicing markets outside the US.

The investment will support the upgrade and retrofit of the existing facility, as well as enhancing Novo Nordisk’s capacity to manufacture oral GLP-1s (oral weight loss drugs).

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Speaking at the announcement in Athlone, Minister for Enterprise, Tourism and Employment, Peter Burke said: “Today’s investment announcement is a vote of confidence in Athlone, the Midlands and the skilled workforce we have worked hard to develop. It will help drive innovation, create highly skilled jobs and further strengthen Ireland’s pharmaceutical ecosystem.

"Ireland hosts nine of the top ten global pharma companies, producing a significant portion of the world's most innovative drugs, solidifying our country’s role as a central hub for pharmaceutical manufacturing," Minister Burke said.

"I commend Novo Nordisk on this milestone investment, which underpins Ireland’s robust competitiveness in the life sciences sector and is a testimony to the role the Midlands plays in pharma innovation in Ireland.”

Kasper Bodker Mejlvang, EVP CMC and Product Supply at Novo Nordisk added: “With the investment in the Athlone facility, Novo Nordisk is expanding its production capacities for oral products, which will enable us to meet both current and future global demand outside the US.

“This investment, a historic milestone for Novo Nordisk in Ireland, marks our continued commitment to Athlone, Ireland and our highly skilled employees while allowing us to make a difference for millions of people living with serious chronic diseases.”

Michael Lohan, CEO, IDA concluded by saying: ‘’This significant investment by Novo Nordisk demonstrates the strength of Ireland’s value proposition as location for innovation and underlines the importance of regional balance in driving sustainable economic growth.

"Athlone continues to prove its ability to attract large scale, high-value manufacturing projects, supported by a skilled workforce and collaborative ecosystem. This expansion reinforces Athlone as a vital contributor to Ireland’s life sciences sector and our long-term regional development ambitions.’’

The company said the plant’s existing 260 employees will focus on delivering the highest-quality oral treatments to patients, in an efficient and environmentally sustainable way.

The entire project at the site, covering 45 acres (18 hectares), will create up to 600 construction jobs. The construction projects, which have already begun, will be finalised gradually from the end of 2027 through 2028.

Tom Quinn, Vice President and Site GM, Novo Nordisk Production Ireland, Athlone stated: “At Novo Nordisk, our purpose is to drive change to defeat serious chronic diseases. Our Athlone facility will play a key role in this mission by providing Novo Nordisk with additional manufacturing capacity for both current and future products, supported by deep expertise and capabilities in oral drug manufacturing.

"This investment strengthens our ability to serve even more patients and reflects Novo Nordisk’s long-term commitment to the growth and sustainability of the Athlone facility. It is a clear endorsement of our people, our capabilities, and our impact on improving health outcomes and transforming patients’ lives.”

Dilek Dogan Gurluk, General Manager, Novo Nordisk Ireland added: “As the global leader in obesity and diabetes care, Novo Nordisk delivers life-changing treatments for patients worldwide and the Athlone manufacturing facility, will be a key strategic part of our plan to expand access to reach more patients. Ireland faces a significant public health challenge.

"Over the past 30 years, rates of overweight and obesity have risen sharply across all age groups, social classes, and genders. Today, Ireland ranks among the highest in Europe, with 60% of adults and more than 20% of children living with overweight or obesity. These trends are shaped by the environments in which we live, work and age, and they demand a comprehensive model of care for patient treatment.”