Ultra-rare disease specialist Alexion has submitted an application for a proposed headquarters in College Park in Blanchardstown, in west Dublin.

The biopharma group last year established Dublin as its global supply chain centre and earlier this month acquired two buildings on the former Elan Drug Technologies site in Athlone from Alkermes to build its first vialling plant. To date, it has outsourced all packaging operations.

Alexion, which recently hired Gilead Ireland boss Julie O’Neill to head its Irish business, is looking to build a five-storey office block on a 16.8 hectare site off the Snugborough Road.

The company has already announced plans to hire about 50 people, with possibly as many again in Athlone. However, it is giving itself plenty of room to expand – the planning application to Fingal County Council proposes 278 car parking spaces, with 76 bike stands and 12 motorcycle spaces. The Alexion Pharma International Trading application also proposes laboratories warehouse facilities, and its own power plant. Company co-founder and group chief global operations officer Steve Squinto said recruitment was proceeding faster than expected.