Millicent Pharma is investing in its Larne facility to strengthen manufacturing capability and support growing demand for women’s health therapies, with more than 20 new jobs planned as part of the expansion. Announced on 12 October, the investment will support automation and productivity improvements at the Northern Ireland site, where capital spending has already begun.

The expansion will increase the Larne workforce from approximately 50 to 70 employees, with recruitment spanning engineering, technical operations, production supervision and quality assurance. As Love Belfast reported, hiring is already underway, with investment expected to continue over the coming years. While the company has not disclosed the precise value of the programme, the combination of capital spending and skilled recruitment signals a clear commitment to the site’s long-term development.

Established in 2018, Millicent Pharma develops, manufactures and sells branded women’s health therapies, including contraception and hormone replacement therapy. Backed by the Carlyle Group and its founders, the company operates manufacturing facilities in Larne and Puerto Rico, with corporate offices in Dundalk and New Jersey. The Larne site serves as both a manufacturing base and a dedicated research and development centre of excellence, connecting production with the development of therapies for international markets.

For Northern Ireland’s pharmaceutical industry, the investment adds to the region’s established base of specialist manufacturing expertise. Greater automation and improved productivity can help manufacturers strengthen operational performance as demand evolves, while recruitment creates opportunities to retain and develop technical skills locally. The expansion also reinforces Larne’s role in a sector where manufacturing, quality assurance and research capabilities are important to commercial growth. The Irish News reported that the facility operates within an industrial park that hosts other international pharmaceutical businesses, including Terumo and Teva.

Millicent Pharma has linked its growth plans with the wider economic development of Larne through its support for the Larne Community Wealth Building Partnership, led by local enterprise organisation LEDCOM. The initiative aims to ensure that investment generates benefits beyond the factory, including employment, skills and opportunities for the surrounding community. Building local capability alongside production investment can help support the workforce and expertise needed for continued development.

For the sector, the lesson is direct: investment in pharmaceutical manufacturing can deliver value on two fronts, strengthening production capability for an international women’s health business while creating skilled employment and reinforcing Northern Ireland’s position in life sciences.

Source: Love Belfast / The Irish News / Millicent Pharma