Astellas Ireland has announced an expansion of its biopharmaceutical manufacturing facility at the Kerry Technology Park in Tralee.
The investment will support the installation of a second aseptic filling line and associated manufacturing infrastructure, representing the next phase of development at the site, building upon the successful foundation established with the site’s groundbreaking in March 2024.
Highly skilled roles across engineering, production, quality, logistics and support functions
The project will double drug product manufacturing capacity at the Tralee facility, creating additional highly skilled roles across engineering, production, quality, logistics and support functions by 2029. To explore career opportunities with Astellas, please visit Tralee – Astellas Jobs.
This follows the company’s previously announced €330m investment in a new biopharma facility and second Kerry facility in 2023. The new Kerry facility is scheduled to officially open the doors in early 2027.
Enterprise minister Peter Burke said: "Astellas’ decision to further expand its Tralee facility is a strong endorsement of Kerry’s growing role in Ireland’s life sciences ecosystem. This investment demonstrates how regional locations can successfully attract and support complex, high-value manufacturing operations.
"As Astellas continues to scale its presence in Tralee, this expansion will create additional highly skilled career opportunities and further strengthen the southwest's reputation as a location of choice for international investment and advanced manufacturing. I wish Astellas success in this next growth phase."
The Tralee facility will manufacture medicines for global markets and is designed to support additional products from Astellas’ development pipeline as they progress towards commercialisation.
Tetsuya Kawasko-San, global head of pharma manufacturing, president of Astellas Ireland, said: “Astellas has a proud and long-established presence in Ireland, with our operations supporting the reliable supply of medicines to patients around the world.
"The continued development of our Tralee facility reflects our confidence in Ireland, in the region and in the talented people who will bring this state-of-the-art facility to life. This expansion is a planned continuation of our original investment in Tralee.
'Build additional capability'
"It enables us to build additional capability into the facility in a phased and disciplined way, responding to an evolving portfolio and patient needs while making the best use of the infrastructure already being developed. We greatly value the continued support of IDA Ireland and our local partners, and we look forward to building on that partnership as Tralee becomes an important part of Astellas’ global manufacturing network.”
Mary Buckley, executive director, IDA Ireland said: “Astellas’ decision to expand its new biopharmaceutical manufacturing facility in Tralee is a strong endorsement of Ireland’s position as a leading location for advanced life sciences and of the talent and partnership available in the southwest region.
"Building on the company’s €330m commitment to the site, this additional investment will create further highly skilled roles in Kerry and strengthen Astellas’ capacity to supply medicines for global markets. IDA Ireland is proud to support Astellas as it continues to grow its significant presence here and contribute to the development of Ireland’s world-class biopharmaceutical ecosystem.”
The project is supported by the government through IDA Ireland.