Denmark-based pharmaceutical manufacturer Novo Nordisk has committed €432 million to expand its tabletting facility in Monksland, Athlone, to increase production capacity for its oral GLP-1 medicines, according to a European Pharmaceutical Review report.

The investment will fund upgrades, retrofitting and capacity expansion at the site to meet growing international demand for the company's oral obesity and diabetes treatments. The Athlone facility currently employs 260 people, and construction work on the expanded site is expected to be completed between the end of 2027 and 2028.

Kasper Bødker Mejlvang, executive vice president of CMC and product supply at Novo Nordisk, said: "With the investment in the Athlone facility, Novo Nordisk is expanding its production capacities for oral products, which will strengthen our ability to meet both current and future demand, outside the US."

The expansion is part of Novo Nordisk's broader effort to scale manufacturing capacity for its GLP-1 portfolio as global competition in the obesity therapeutics market intensifies. The company separately announced a $2.1 billion (€1.99 billion) agreement with Vivtex Corporation last month to advance its oral biologic pipeline, including obesity therapy Wegovy.

The GLP-1 sector has attracted significant manufacturing investment across the industry. Pfizer acquired China-based YaoPharma's GLP-1 drug for $2 billion (€1.89 billion) at the end of 2025, while Teva secured US approval for a generic version of Novo Nordisk's injectable Saxenda in August of the same year. Fujifilm Biotechnologies also announced a £400 million (€477 million) investment in its UK biomanufacturing facility in Teesside last month to expand European production capacity.

The Athlone facility was acquired from Alkermes in late 2023 and serves as Novo Nordisk's primary production base for current and future oral product manufacturing outside the United States.

Explore the full scope of Novo Nordisk's Athlone investment in the complete report.