Biopharmaceutical company, Eli Lilly, has received planning permission for its proposed new biologics plant in Co Limerick.

Plans for the €400m facility were announced by the US company in January.

Once complete, it will provide employment for 300 people, including engineers, scientists and those involved in operations.

A further 500 staff will be employed in the construction phase of the project, which will be located on a greenfield site at the IDA’s Raheen Business and Technology Park.

“This new facility is designed to use the very latest biopharma manufacturing technology to maximise productivity and sustainability and minimise the impact on the environment,” said Dave Riordan, site lead for the plant.

“I am confident that Lilly’s arrival to Limerick will bring many additional benefits to the local community, the city and the region in the years ahead.”

Once operational the plant will be used to produce biologic ingredients for use in a range of therapies developed by the company.

Lilly already employs more than 2,500 people in Cork where it has a large manufacturing campus in Kinsale as well as a Global Business Solutions centre in Little Island.