The Republic is among the countries most exposed to US president Donald Trump's sweeping economic policies

Luke O'Neill said Ireland's underinvestment in science and research compared to the European average was a concern

Drug companies are hoping to avert price spikes on top-selling medicines made in Ireland, such as Botox

A significant proportion of employment, tax receipts and exports all directly dependent on a cluster of US multinational firms.

The WuXi Biologics facility is located in Dundalk, Co Louth, in the IDA Science and Technology Park.

The investments are part of Lilly's ongoing commitment to expand production for its top-selling diabetes and obesity drugs