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120 Sligo Jobs Safe As Plant Acquired By Multinational

The future of 120 Sligo jobs has been secured, subject to clearance of the European Regulatory Authority, with the announcement of the take over of the Fort Dodge Laboratories in Sligo's Finiskiln Industrial Estate.

The animal health division of Eli Lilly is to acquire the Sligo facility following it's signing of an agreement to acquire the European rights to a portfolio of some Pfizer animal health products.

Part of a deal included Elanco taking over the Sligo manufacturing plant, currently used in the production of animal vaccines. As part of the deal, all Sligo employees will be offered positions with Elanco. The take over of the Fort Dodge parent company Wyeth last year by the pharmaceutical multinational had left the certainty of job security in doubt.

Yesterday evening employees,some who have been employed since the company's Sligo opening in 1990, were in a buoyant mood as the news emerged.

The products manufactured in Sligo - including vaccines, parasiticides and feed additives - have been marketed by Pfizer and Wyeth.

“The addition of this attractive portfolio of products and a world-class manufacturing facility is a natural fit for Elanco and positions us well for sustained growth,” said Jeff Simmons, president of Elanco. “Through this acquisition, we will expand and diversify our European presence with new market-leading products," he said.

The European Commission requested that Pfizer divest these products as a result of Pfizer’s acquisition last year of Wyeth, including Wyeth’s Fort Dodge Animal Health business.

Under the terms of the agreement, Lilly will acquire European rights to a portfolio of marketed products, as well as the biological manufacturing facility in Sligo, Ireland. In return, Pfizer will receive an undisclosed upfront payment.

Closing of the transaction is contingent upon clearance from European regulatory authorities and other closing conditions.