Merck to produce new HIV treatment in the Republic

PHARMACEUTICAL giant Merck is set to begin production of a new HIV treatment in the Republic that could generate sales of $1 billion a year.

The group will produce the drug Isentress at its Ballydine, Co Tipperary, plant operated by its local subsidiary, MSD Healthcare.

The Irish facility will be the sole manufacturer of Isentress, which has been licensed for use in Europe for the treatment of HIV.

When US and European authorities approved the drug late last year, analysts at New York stockbrokers, Cowen & Co, predicted that it would generate yearly sales of $1 billion.

The product is one of a new class of drugs called integrase inhibitors that counter the HIV virus by blocking integrase, a protein HIV needs to enter human cells and replicate.

Dr Colm Bergin, a consultant in infectious diseases at St James's Hospital in Dublin, said the "availability of integrase inhibitors represents a significant advancement in the treatment of HIV infection".

Production of the new product was awarded to Ballydine because recent investment means the plant is now one of the most advanced MSD manufacturing facilities, according to a spokeswoman.

The company has operations in Dublin and Tipperary and employs 450 people. Over the last year MSD has confirmed that it plans to invest a further €300 million in Ballydine and a new vaccines and biologics plant in Carlow town.

According to MSD, this investment will see its workforce increase by over 250. The spokeswoman declined to say how much Isentress will be produced.