Manufacturing & Supply Chain

Pfizer is to invest more than €1.2 billion capital investment in its Grange Castle, Dublin manufacturing site. The investment, which is Pfizer’s biggest expansion investment to date in Ireland, will see a new facility built on the site premises and will double the capacity for biological drug substance manufacturing at the facility. It is anticipated that there will be a further 400-500 roles added, bringing the total number of Pfizer employees in Ireland to approximately 5,500.

The investment and the roles being created will significantly expand manufacturing and laboratory capacity and add new technologies to help ensure Pfizer is ready to support the next wave of medical innovations. The project is currently in preliminary design phase with construction expected to commence onsite in 2024 and the new facility due for completion in 2027. The investment will ensure that Pfizer has capacity for licensed and pipeline products in oncology, rare disease, inflammation & immunology and internal medicines.

This announcement follows a €40 million investment in the site last year when the Grange Castle facility was brought onto the Global Pfizer COVID-19 manufacturing network. Grange Castle as well as Pfizer’s other manufacturing sites in Newbridge, Co. Kildare and Ringaskiddy, Co. Cork manufacture medicines and vaccines in the areas of arthritis, inflammation, cancer, anti-infectives, haemophilia, pain and stroke.

Pfizer first established operations in Ireland at Ringaskiddy in 1969, and has continuously invested in its facilities over the past 53 years.

An Taoiseach Micheál Martin (pictured left) commented: “This is a really significant investment and jobs announcement by Pfizer – its biggest ever expansion in Ireland – and a considerable vote of confidence in the talent of our workforce, and our economy. Pfizer has played an instrumental role during the pandemic. It is pleasing to see just how much scientific progress has been made over the last number of years, and I have no doubt that Ireland will continue to be at the forefront of scientific innovation. I wish all the team at Pfizer here in Ireland continued success as they work towards improving the lives of patients in Ireland and beyond.”

Mike McDermott (pictured right), Chief Global Supply Officer, Executive Vice President, Pfizer, said: “We are very pleased about today’s announcement, as it significantly strengthens our operations in Ireland, where we have three high-performing and strategic manufacturing sites. Grange Castle has played a critical role in our global COVID-19 vaccine network, and this investment for non-COVID licensed and pipeline products, will help to further expand the site’s broad and robust capabilities. As this investment demonstrates, we continue to invest in our global manufacturing infrastructure to strive to bring much-needed medicines and vaccines to patients, around the world, and to deliver the next scientific breakthroughs.”

IDA Ireland Interim CEO Mary Buckley said: ‘’Pfizer has had a presence in Ireland for over 50 years and this major additional investment, adding further drug substance capacity to its already substantial Irish operations and jobs, underscores the strategic importance of Ireland in Pfizer’s global operations. It is proof of the company’s future commitment to Ireland and testament to Ireland’s continued attractiveness as a location for investment.’’