Sep 23, 2021

John Kennedy Share Share AstraZeneca ’s decision to invest $360m in an advanced manufacturing facility in Ireland will transform the development and commercialisation of new medicines. This week another jewel was added to Ireland’s pharma crown when it emerged that AstraZeneca is planning on establishing a next-generation active pharmaceutical ingredient (API) manufacturing facility for small molecules near Dublin, Ireland to ensure the Company’s global supply network is fit for future growth. The new plant will allow for late-stage development and early commercial supply, adopting state of the art process technology and digital innovation that is designed to meet the needs of the Company’s new medicines pipeline with speed and agility. “This very significant will create highly skilled jobs, nurture the country’s dynamic life sciences sector and allow for the development of high value-added medicines” The $360m planned investment at the Alexion Campus in College Park, Dublin, is expected to create about 100 highly skilled direct jobs, including scientists and engineers, and further indirect jobs. The project, which will provide an important boost to the local economy and to the country’s life-sciences sector, was developed with the support and collaboration of Ireland’s investment agency, IDA Ireland. Next-generation pharma “This $360 million investment represents a significant commitment to Ireland and will see 100 jobs being created,” Taoiseach Micheál Martin, TD, said. “In choosing Ireland as the location for its new next-generation active pharmaceutical ingredient manufacturing facility, AstraZeneca joins the very strong and successful network of global life sciences companies we have in Ireland. I wish them every success with their operations here.” The investment programme is expected to significantly reduce commercialisation lead times, costs and introduce more sustainable manufacturing processes, contributing to the Company’s Ambition Zero Carbon programme. The industry-leading, future proof design of the plant will permit the addition of capability to manufacture a wide range of medicines, including new modalities such as antibody drug conjugates and oligonucleotides. “This is a tremendously proud moment for us all at AstraZeneca and I am delighted that we are bringing this very significant investment to Dublin which, with the support of the IDA, will create highly skilled jobs, nurture the country’s dynamic life sciences sector and allow for the development of high value-added medicines,” said Pascal Soriot, CEO of AstraZeneca. The industry-leading, future proof design of the plant will permit the addition of capability to manufacture a wide range of medicines, including new modalities such as antibody drug conjugates and oligonucleotides. “The future manufacturing of APIs for our medicines includes compounds with highly complex synthesis, requiring next generation technologies and capabilities that can respond quickly and nimbly to rapidly-changing clinical and commercial needs,” explained Pam Cheng, executive vice-president of Global Operations and IT at AstraZeneca. “This significant investment will ensure the AstraZeneca supply network is fit for the future.” Main image at top: The existing College Park site where the new campus will be built