The news will come as a devastating blow to both the local and national government, who, in recent years, have invested heavily in the development of Ireland’s support infrastructure for the Biotechnology industry.

IDA Ireland learned of the postponement following recent decisions made by US Medicare authorities which have subsequently impacted on some of Amgen’s main drugs, with the decision in relation to Cork, only having been made in the past few days.

Although the company have been quick to praise the responsiveness of the public authorities in Ireland, as well as pointing out that their decision to postpone the development has absolutely nothing to do with the business environment here, the news will still come as a bitter blow to both the IDA and the Government, particularly as over 1000 jobs were expected to be created.

Amgen did however confirm that the company would be retaining the site, in respect of the considerable investment they have made over the past year, giving some hope to future developments, providing a change occurs in the businesses circumstances.

Opposition party members were quick to call for a detailed statement following the announcement, with Fine Gael Cork East TD David Stanton raising the matter on Wednesday afternoon by way of a special notice question to Enterprise Minister Micheál Martin. “This news has come as a major blow to the area which had high hopes for the  proposed  Amgen  facility. I understand that external factors in the US pharmaceutical market are behind this decision, but it is nevertheless a very disappointing development for Ireland’s crucial pharmaceutical industry. This is a prestige site with huge development opportunities, and which will be retained by Amgen, so I would hope that the company will be able to secure an alternative investment at some stage in the future.”

In a statement to the press yesterday, Minister Martin said, “I am deeply disappointed by the announcement by Amgen that it is indefinitely postponing its plant at Carrigtwohill, Co Cork. Our immediate priority must be to offer every possible support to the 79 existing Amgen staff. The job creation agencies of the State will work with these employees to find them alternative jobs.

“The decision has been made as a result of a review of Amgen’s operations and is based purely on developments related to the company’s global business and is in no way related to the economic or competitive environment in Ireland. The Government remains committed to attracting inward investment into Carrigtwohill and other communities in East Cork.”

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