Amneal Pharmaceuticals LLC, a U.S.-based generic drug manufacturer, has purchased a 200,000 square foot facility in Cashel, County Tipperary, Ireland.

The former Johnson & Johnson plant was sold by owner Solidus Private Equity, a Singapore-based investment firm. Amneal worked closely with Foreign Direct Investment agency IDA Ireland.

The investment is supported by the Department of Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation through IDA Ireland.

The Cashel site will be dedicated to R&D and production of metered dose and dry powder inhalers (MDIs and DPIs) as well as biosimilars—all high-end specialty medications—with each product occupying approximately 50% of the building. Amneal expects to hire an estimated 250-300 employees at full build-out.

“Our new Ireland facility is critical to Amneal’s long-term global growth, in Europe, the U.S. and throughout the world,” said Chintu Patel, Amneal co-chief executive officer and co-chairman. “We appreciate the outstanding support from IDA Ireland and others in helping us establish ourselves in County Tipperary and are excited to launch our operations here.”