The global bio-pharmaceutical company Allergan has opened a €160m facility at its Westport campus in Co Mayo.

The new facility will create 63 jobs and enhance Ireland's position as a strategic global hub.

This brings the firm's total investment in Ireland since it began operations to more than €750m.

The Biologics 2 facility at Westport will feature new manufacturing suites to meet growing global demand for flagship products.

It will also have a new state-of-the-art microbiology and cell-based laboratory, with technology and research and development capabilities.

Coinciding with the opening of the facility, Allergan recently marked the shipping of the 100 millionth vial of Botox from the Westport campus.

Paul Coffey is vice president of global manufacturing and site lead at Allergan Westport.

He said: "This €160m investment underpins Allergans commitment to advancement in the biologics arena and we are delighted that Ireland is home to this strategic expansion.

"Our Westport campus is the largest and most complex in Allergan's global network.

"Our new biologics facility, added to our existing biologics facility, will allow us to meet continued global demand for Allergan's flagship products".

Community Development Minister Michael Ring added: "Allergan's further expansion is a vote of confidence in Mayo and the west.

"Allergan is a fantastic employer and it's great to see it further cement its presence here in Westport.

"Speaking as someone from Westport, Allergan has had a remarkably positive impact on the town and on the region."

Allergan plc is headquartered in Dublin and operates four facilities here, employing some 2,000 people.