Production of a new treatment for people infected with HIV has started at MSD Ireland’s factory in Co Tipperary.
The Ballydine plant is the only MSD facility to manufacture Isentress, which has been licenced for use in Europe for the treatment of HIV.
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.
In a statement released by the company Dr Colm Bergin, consultant in infectious diseases at St James's Hospital 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 provide any indication of volume of Isentress that will be produced.