Amgen, which is struggling with US government investigations and setbacks involving key clinical trials, is delaying the planned construction of a $1 billion manufacturing plant in Cork, Ireland, that’s supposed to serve the European market.

There’s no announcement on the biotech’s web site, but The Irish Examiner reports local Amgen officials say the decision was made after a ”global review” of operations. Instead of opening in 2010, the plant won’t open until at least 2012.

A company spokesperson says Amgen remains committed to the project “in “terms of overall investment, plant capacity and overall job numbers” of about 1,100 people. She adds that the initial schedule announced last year was aggressive.

At the time, it may have seemed like a good idea. But in recent weeks, Amgen’s Arannesp anemia drug didn’t fare well in trials and the Securities and Exchange Commission is probing a delay in disclosure. The FDA issued Black Box warnings on Aranesp and Epogen. A congressional committee is investigating marketing. And a study of its Vectibix cancer drug was halted over poor results.

At this rate, the plant in Ireland may never open.

Further reading…
The Irish Examiner;
Amgen January 2006 statement announcing expansion.
[tags]Amgen, Ireland, Manufacturing[/tags]