MSD Ireland announces official opening of new facilities in Dunboyne and Carlow following investment of over €1 billion
MSD Ireland, one of the country’s leading healthcare companies, has announced the official opening of a new, state-of-the-art site in Meath in addition to a significant expansion at its Carlow site. The projects represent a recent investment of over €1 billion across both facilities.
The expansion projects have led to the creation of 670 new jobs across both sites, further building on the company’s successful recruitment drive in recent years and bringing total employee numbers in Ireland to over 3,100 people. Active recruitment is currently ongoing for over 100 jobs, offering a wide range of important roles in engineering, science, manufacturing operations, quality and more.
MSD Carlow serves as a filling site for the launch and commercial supply of vaccines, biologics, and small molecule drug products. Established in 2008, this state-of-the-art facility was MSD’s first vaccines operation outside of the United States and has seen significant growth, expansion, and investment since first opening its doors. The new expansion will strengthen MSD’s global manufacturing capabilities to meet increased demand for MSD’s medicines and vaccines.
MSD Dunboyne in County Meath is MSD’s first biologics drug substance single use commercialisation facility, playing an important role in helping to commercialise key medicines. Furthered by this most recent investment, the cutting-edge 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.
Speaking about the announcement, Taoiseach Leo Varadkar TD said: “This is 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.”
Sanat Chattopadhyay, Executive Vice President & President, Manufacturing Division, MSD, said: “We are delighted to mark yet another new chapter in our 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. 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.”
Marie Martin, Site Lead at MSD Carlow, said: “Over the past 15 years, we are proud to have built a world-class centre of excellence for MSD in Carlow. We’re proud to be making our mark when it comes to positioning Ireland as a world-leader in pharmaceuticals, driving invention and innovation forward from Carlow to the world.”
Eva Gallagher, Site Lead, MSD Dunboyne, said: “At MSD, our focus is always on the patient and by harnessing the expertise and synergy between our exceptional research and manufacturing teams, we are not only shortening the timeline for drug development but also creating healthier, happier futures for patients worldwide.”
Michael Lohan, CEO of IDA Ireland, said: “MSD has a long and proud history in Ireland and it’s 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. I wish MSD continued success and assure them of IDA’s continued partnership.”
