Millicent Pharma announces multimillion-pound Larne investment with more than 20 new jobs

Pictured are Ryan Loughlin, Senior Vice-President of Millicent Pharma (in the foreground on the left with (LtoR) Christopher Brady, Director of Technical Operations, Willis Millar, Director of Production and Gillian Megan, Site Quality Head.

Monday 12 October 2026

More than 20 new jobs are being created in Larne as pharmaceutical company Millicent Pharma announces a multimillion-pound investment in its local manufacturing facility.

The expansion will increase the company's workforce from around 50 to 70 employees, with recruitment already underway for positions ranging from technicians and engineers to management and quality assurance specialists.

The investment represents a significant boost for Larne's manufacturing sector, with the company planning to introduce greater automation and improve productivity as demand for its women's health products grows.

Recruitment underway for skilled positions

Millicent Pharma confirmed that recruitment began following job advertisements published in early October, with opportunities available across several areas of its operations.

The positions include technicians, managers, supervisors, engineers and quality assurance specialists, offering employment opportunities in a specialist industry with an established presence in the town.

Capital investment at the Larne facility has already commenced and will continue over the next few years, supporting the company's plans to strengthen manufacturing capabilities and expand production.

Larne facility plays international role

Pictured are Ryan Loughlin, Senior Vice-President of Millicent Pharma with Gillian Megan, Site Quality Head (L) and (R) Willis Millar, Director of Production with Christopher Brady, Director of Technical Operations.

Millicent Pharma develops, manufactures and sells branded women's health therapies, including contraception and hormone replacement therapy.

Its Larne operation serves as both a manufacturing facility and a dedicated Research and Development Centre of Excellence, contributing to the company's international pharmaceutical activities.

Established in 2018 with financial backing from the Carlyle Group and its founders, the company also operates a manufacturing facility in Puerto Rico, with corporate offices in Dundalk and New Jersey.

Invest Northern Ireland has previously supported the company's growth in the region.

Company highlights commitment to Larne

Ryan Loughlin, Senior Vice-President of Millicent Pharma, said the expansion demonstrated the company's long-term commitment to the local economy.

"We are delighted to announce our expansion plans in Larne. Having been part of the local economy for seven years, this announcement is a tangible demonstration of our commitment to investing in both our production capabilities and job creation; collectively a meaningful contribution to the region's prosperity.

"The team at Millicent Pharma are equally as passionate about our research and development within women's health and about supporting Larne's community wealth-building initiatives. We look forward to seeing the impact this major capital investment will have both on the local economy and on women's health globally."

Investment welcomed by local business leaders

Pictured are Ryan Loughlin, Senior Vice-President of Millicent Pharma with Gillian Megan, Site Quality Head (L) and (R) Willis Millar, Director of Production with Christopher Brady, Director of Technical Operations.

Alongside its manufacturing expansion, Millicent Pharma is continuing its involvement with the Larne Community Wealth Building Partnership, a programme led by local enterprise organisation LEDCOM.

The partnership aims to ensure that economic development creates opportunities and benefits for people and businesses within the local community.

Ken Nelson, CEO of LEDCOM and Chairman of the Larne Community Wealth Building Partnership, welcomed the company's investment plans.

“As a vital part of the Larne life and health sciences sector, it’s exciting to witness Millicent Pharma’s growth plans as it progresses towards being a global centre of excellence within its target markets. Its ongoing investment plans will create attractive new employment and skills opportunities for the local area.”

Mr Loughlin said the company's growth should also create wider opportunities for Larne.

"Our future and Larne's future are closely linked. Supporting the Community Wealth Building Partnership is about ensuring that, as Millicent Pharma grows, the benefits, skills, jobs, and opportunities, are shared across the whole locality."

Expansion to continue over coming years

With recruitment already underway and capital investment beginning to take shape, the expansion is expected to develop over several years rather than being completed immediately.

The company has not disclosed the precise value of its multimillion-pound investment or a timetable for filling all the new positions.

For Larne, the immediate opportunity is the creation of additional skilled employment, while the longer-term significance lies in strengthening the town's position as a manufacturing and research base within the international pharmaceutical industry.