Novo Nordisk is injecting €432 million into its tablet manufacturing facility in Athlone, Ireland. This significant investment is earmarked for expanding production capacity of oral GLP-1 therapies, aiming to meet surging global demand.
The funding will support upgrades and retrofitting at the Athlone site, bolstering manufacturing capabilities and strengthening the supply chain by positioning Ireland as a key production hub. "With the investment in the Athlone facility, Novo Nordisk is expanding its production capacities for oral products, which will strengthen our ability to meet both current and future demand, outside the US," stated Kasper Bødker Mejlvang, Executive Vice President, CMC and Product Supply.
Construction has commenced, with completion anticipated between late 2027 and 2028. This expansion is crucial following the FDA's late 2025 approval of Novo Nordisk's oral semaglutide for chronic weight management, the first of its kind. This innovation offers an alternative to injectable treatments for obesity.
Despite recent reports of redundancies at the site, Novo Nordisk reaffirms its commitment to its skilled workforce in Athlone. The company emphasizes the facility's vital role in securing the supply of GLP-1 medications amid increasing competition in the oral obesity treatment market.