MSD, one of the largest multinational pharmaceutical companies, has given the go-ahead to fund its Carlow facility by a further €11.5m to advance its research with new services.
This brings the company’s total investment in its Irish base to €312m over the past seven years and its facility in Carlow is its first and only facility that caters for the production of human vaccines for a variety of diseases across the world, as well as tackling cancer treatments.
According to MSD’s statement, the news came following the visit to the facility by Kevin O’Malley, the US Ambassador to Ireland, along with representatives from Ibec and the Irish Pharmaceutical Healthcare Association (IPHA).
So far, the company has 140 different operations in the world, five of which are located in Ireland – in Dublin, Carlow, Cork, Tipperary and Wicklow.
Speaking at the announcement, site leader of the Carlow MSD facility, Jean-Albert Pittaluga, said: “The production facilities here in Carlow are best-in-class internationally and this substantial investment reflects MSD’s ongoing commitment, both to Carlow and to supporting the growth and expansion of innovative product lines led by a highly-skilled Irish workforce.”
He went on to say that: “Through our continued focus on innovation and new product development, we look forward to growing our manufacturing output in Ireland and offering new treatment options to patients.”
Vials of vaccines image via Shutterstock
