GSK is estimated to have invested €700m at the Cork site since its inception in 1974
Pharma giant GSK has opened a €12m investment project that includes a new manufacturing facility and laboratory that will underpin future investment at its Currabinny site in Cork.
The investments at GSK (GlaxoSmithKline) in Cork include a €9.5m Kilo Scale Facility and a €2.5m Technical Development Laboratory. The new facilities were opened by GSK’s global manufacturing supply president Rory Connor.
The new purpose-built Kilo Scale Facility will allow the site to begin manufacturing highly-specialised active ingredients for newer, targeted oncology medicines, while the new Technical Development Laboratory will further enhance its ability to improve its current product portfolio, which includes treatments for diseases such as cancer, HIV and depression.
“Our new Kilo Scale Facility represents an important new opportunity for GSK in Cork, the plant will expand our operating scale to allow us to introduce new targeted medicines that require highly-specialised manufacturing equipment, this investment opens up new potential for Cork to produce these in the future,” explained Kevin O’Keefe, head of engineering at GSK Cork.
Endorsement of world-class capability of Cork as a pharmachem hub
GSK last year celebrated 40 years in Cork where it employs 450 people.
The global healthcare company employs more than 1,800 staff across four locations in Ireland. – Cork, Dublin, Waterford and Sligo – and it is estimated to have invested €700m at the Cork site since its inception in 1974.
Last year, GSK invested €30m in R&D in Ireland, which has contributed significantly to the company’s global success in scientific innovation.
“This substantial investment demonstrates GSK’s strong commitment to our Cork site,” said Joe Power, site director at GSK in Cork.
“It’s a wonderful endorsement of the world-class technical capability we have here and will work to attract new business for the operation. It will also be very rewarding for our employees, knowing the difference they will be making to patients all over the world who will ultimately take the medicines that started out here in Cork,” Power said.
Cork Harbour image via Shutterstock
