Pharmaceutical company Takeda Ireland has opened its new cell therapy production facility at its Grange Castle site in Dublin.
Over 100 people are currently working at the cell therapy facility with another 100 new jobs to be filled over the next three years.
Takeda said the production facility is the first of its kind in Ireland and will play an important role in supplying European, US and Canadian markets with a cell therapy treatment option for patients.
Thomas Wozniewski, Takeda global manufacturing & supply officer, said the opening of the new cell therapy facility at Grange Castle illustrates Takeda's innovation capabilities and also underlines the importance of Ireland to the global Takeda manufacturing network.
"Cell therapy facilities require a specialised set of skills and the talent base in Ireland is as important as other frame conditions like proximity to partners and an international airport," he added.
Paul Keogh, Grange Castle site head, said the facility is growing from strength to strength thanks to a great team and strong investment in Takeda's people and technology.
"The treatment produced here will be delivered to patients within 72 hours of being released from Grange Castle which means we are closer to the patient than we have ever been and this brings a great sense of pride to our team," Mr Keogh said.
The chief executive of IDA Ireland, Martin Shanahan, said that Takeda's continued investment at its Grange Castle facility and the opening of this cell therapy production facility at its Grange Castle site is a huge vote of confidence in Ireland and the country's strong value proposition.
"Cell therapy is a core pillar in the emerging field of Advanced Therapy Medicinal Products (ATMPs), widely considered as the next generation of pharmaceutical therapies. These products require highly innovative approaches to manufacturing and offer unparalleled opportunities in the treatment of disease," Mr Shanahan said.
"This facility adds to Ireland's reputation as a global location of excellence for next-generation biopharmaceutical products," he added.
Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment, Leo Varadkar said that Takeda is at the forefront of cutting-edge research and innovation and the company's continued investment here underlines the country's position as a global hub for the biopharma sector.
