550 jobs to be created by two firms in Dublin

550 jobs are to be created in Dublin by pharmaceutical company MSD and design software firm Autodesk. 350 of the new jobs will be provided by MSD at a new manufacturing facility in north Dublin. The plant will produce biologics-based medicines for the global market on the grounds of the company's former site in Swords. In June 2013 

, which produced fertility and women's health products, with the loss of 570 jobs. The factory shut in June of last year and, although MSD initially sought a buyer, the US based firm has now decided to resume manufacturing there. Planning for the complex facility will begin immediately, as will recruitment, and MSD hopes to have it operational by 2021. "MSD has a long history in Ireland, we're here over 50 years, we've invested over $2.5 billion and we are operating four sites with 1,700 employees," said Ger Brennan, Managing Director of MSD Ireland Human Health and head of the MSD Ireland country leadership team. "So that's a testament to the talent we have here in Ireland and I think that is one of the main reasons why Ireland was chosen for this. Also we have very strong relationships with the government, IDA and universities, and talent is key," he said. There will be a wide range of roles on offer in the Swords facility, including in quality, engineering, manufacturing and biochemistry. The company says former employees in Swords can apply, but it added that the skills required for the new roles will be different to what staff there previously were required to have. "If they have the right level of experience and qualifications, absolutely then please apply online," Mr Brennan said. The plant will produce a range of biologics medicines - drugs made from living organisms - particularly in the area of immuno-oncology. Demand for the company's key product in this area, Keytruda, is particularly strong and MSD Biotech Dublin will be predominantly focused on its manufacture. Last May the company announced 330 jobs and a €280m expansion of its Carlow and Cork plants as a result of increased global demand for its medicines and vaccines, including Keytruda. The investment figure for the new Swords facility is not being disclosed, but in recent weeks the company revealed it was planning $4 billion in capital investment in Europe and it is understood the new Dublin plant is part of that. The expansion will bring to 2,050 the number of people employed by MSD across its Irish sites. Meanwhile, US design software company Autodesk is to open an office in Dublin, creating 200 jobs. The roles will be in the areas of finance, operations, localisation and sales operations and the company hopes to fill the positions by the end of the year. Chief executive of Autodesk, Andrew Anagnost, said Dublin had been chosen for the expansion because of its global business environment, talent and ability to support European languages. He also praised the "excellent long term-cost structure" and the quality of life it offers employees which aligns with the company's culture and brand. Autodesk makes computer-aided design software that is used by designers, developers, engineers and the entertainment industry. Its products have been used in the construction of many Dublin buildings, including the Central Bank and the new children's hospital. The investment is supported by the Department of Business, Enterprise and Innovation through IDA Ireland. Source: https://www.rte.ie/news/business/2018/0213/940373-msd-dublin-jobs/