US biopharma group Alexion has named industry veteran Julie O'Neill as general manager of its recently announced Irish operation.

Ms O'Neill moves from rival Gilead Sciences, where she was responsible for establishing its Irish subsidiary.

Alexion announced earlier this month that it had agreed to acquire a site in Athlone – part of the original Elan Drug Technologies operation – from Alkermes to create a vialling facility. The US company also has an operation at Park West in Dublin.

In her new role as general manager at Alexion Pharma Ireland Trading and as senior vice-president of global manufacturing operations, Ms O’Neill will lead the company’s establishment of a global supply-chain operation in Ireland.

Ms O’Neill, a past president of employers’ group Ibec, will also be responsible for the wider group’s global manufacturing operations and supply- chain operations.

Alexion announced plans for an Irish base last summer. At the time, it said it expected to employ 50 people. That figure is likely to double with the Athlone expansion.