MSD to invest €11.5m at Carlow facility in Ireland
The plant is the first stand-alone human vaccine facility for the company
Leading healthcare company, MSD, known as Merck in the US and Canada, is investing €11.5m in upgrading its Carlow site in Ireland this year.
The company employs more than 2,000 people in Ireland across five sites in Carlow, Cork, Dublin, Tipperary and Wicklow. They encompass manufacturing, commercial and marketing facilities.
The announcement was made during an official visit by the US Ambassador to Ireland, Kevin O'Malley, who toured the facility along with representatives from IBEC and IPHA.
This is the latest phase in a significant programme of funding at the Carlow facility that has seen €312m invested there over the past seven years. The site, a state-of-the-art 200,000ft2 biologics operation, is MSD's first stand-alone human vaccine facility. In addition, it is leading MSD's work in the development of a new treatment for cancer.
Jean-Albert Pittaluga, Site Lead, MSD in Carlow, 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. 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.'
Kevin O'Malley, US Ambassador to Ireland, said: 'I'm delighted to have the opportunity to meet the MSD team in Carlow and learn more about the world-leading manufacturing facilities and operations.
'Since taking up the position as US Ambassador to Ireland, I have witnessed first-hand the hotbed of innovation and talent that exists here in Ireland, such as that of MSD. To see such a substantial investment being made in growing and developing these innovations locally in Carlow, particularly in the area of human vaccination, is hugely encouraging.'
