A Chinese pharmaceutical company is due to build a new vaccine production facility in Dundalk, creating 200 new jobs over the next five years.

It will be built on WuXi Biologics’ campus in the Co Louth town, with the firm and its vaccine subsidiary hoping to employ a total of 600 people by 2024.

The new facility - which will primarily focus on human vaccine, including for cancer - is expected to cost around €217 million.

Business Minister Heather Humphreys welcomed the news.

She said: "I am delighted to announce 200 highly-skilled jobs in WuXi Vaccines, which is in addition to the 400 roles announced last year by WuXi Biologics for Dundalk.

"Without a doubt, this is a great win for the North-East and a huge vote of confidence in the local workforce."

Dr Chris Chen, chairman of WuXi Vaccines, added: "Due to process complexity, extensive analytic testing and rigorous regulatory standards, vaccines are difficult to manufacture, and process and quality control are extremely critical for the quality of the product.

"This new project to exclusively manufacture a vaccine for the global market is among the first of its kind in the industry and is a further testimony to the technical strengths and premier quality which WuXi Biologics will bring to Dundalk."

The €325 million WuXi campus in Dundalk was first announced in April 2018, with the company saying construction of this facility is "now well underway".