Posted on 11 months ago by Laurentina Kennedy
MSD invests €1 billion in Dunboyne and Carlow plants
Healthcare company MSD Ireland has invested over €1 billion in a new site in Dunboyne in Co Meath as well as significantly expanding its existing site in Carlow.
The investment has led to the creation of 670 new jobs across both sites and brings the company's total employee numbers in Ireland to over 3,100 people.
MSD also said that active recruitment is continuing for over 100 jobs, including positions in engineering, science, manufacturing operations and quality.
The new MSD Dunboyne facility in Co Meath is the company's first biologics drug substance single use commercialisation facility. MSD said it will play an important role in helping to commercialise key medicines.
The company said the innovation and collaboration between MSD Dunboyne's research and manufacturing teams will significantly accelerate the time it takes to bring a medicine to market for the benefit of patients around the world.
MSD Carlow serves as a filling site for the launch and commercial supply of vaccines, biologics and small molecule drug products.
Set up in 2008, the facility was MSD's first vaccines operation outside of the US and has seen significant growth, expansion, and investment since then.
MSD said the latest expansion will strengthen the company's global manufacturing capabilities to meet increased demand for its medicines and vaccines.
Sanat Chattopadhyay, Executive Vice President & President, Manufacturing Division of MSD, said the company was delighted to mark yet another new chapter in its long-standing legacy in Ireland.
"Our business has long recognised the unique value our Irish sites add to our global network, and the significant contribution our 3,100 talented colleagues here in Ireland make in helping us create a positive impact in the lives of people and patients all over the world," Sanat Chattopadhyay said.
"Our MSD Carlow expansion and new MSD Dunboyne facility are both pivotal components of our global operations. These two facilities will yield substantial enhancements to our manufacturing capabilities, enabling our global network to better address the always-evolving demand for vaccines and medicines worldwide," he added.
Taoiseach Leo Varadkar said today marked "fantastic news" for counties Meath and Carlow with the opening by MSD of its new state of the art facility in Meath and the expansion of its Carlow site.
"The €1 billion investment by MSD is creating 670 jobs and expanding the company's operations. It reinforces the Government's commitment to balanced regional development, and further enhances Ireland's global status in the pharmaceutical sector," Mr Varadkar said.
Michael Lohan, the CEO of IDA Ireland, said that MSD has a long and proud history in Ireland and it was wonderful to see this continued investment.
"This announcement not only exemplifies MSD Ireland’s commitment to patients, but also underscores Ireland's growth as a global hub of excellence in Life Sciences research and manufacturing," Mr Lohan added.
MSD also has operations in Ballydine in Co Tipperary, Brinny in Co Cork and in Dublin.