Japan-based Takeda has announced that it is to create 70 jobs and invest €25 million in the construction of a new regenerative medicine facility at its site in Grange Castle, Clondalkin, Co Dublin.
Takeda, which recently announced it is to purchase biotech TiGenix for more than $600 million, said its new facility will be completed by 2021. The investment is supported by the government through IDA Ireland.
Standalone modular cell therapy facility
The investment by Takeda will expand its Grange Castle site’s existing footprint, with the construction of a new standalone modular cell therapy facility dedicated to manufacturing a novel stem cell therapy.
The largest pharmaceutical company in Japan, Takeda first set up operations in Ireland in 1997 manufacturing products for global markets. In 2002, it chose Dublin as the location for its first active pharmaceutical ingredient (API) facility outside of Japan.
In 2017, the pharma also announced a €40 million investment in the construction of a standalone production facility for the manufacturing of part of its oncology portfolio at Grange Castle.
Roles in quality, manufacturing and engineering
Paul Keogh, plant director at Takeda Ireland Grange Castle, said that the additional investment in Ireland demonstrates the confidence and commitment Takeda has in its Irish operation. “To be chosen as the first site to introduce this new technology platform to our manufacturing network is very exciting.
"The nature of this product and its process will bring us closer to the patient than ever before which is a responsibility that we take very seriously.
"We have a great team here in Ireland and are committed to continuing to put patients first through the timely manufacturing and supply of high-quality products from our site. The roles being created are in the areas of quality, manufacturing and engineering.”
Martin Shanahan, CEO IDA Ireland said: “Ireland is a globally recognised centre of excellence in Life sciences due to the country’s strong regulatory track record and talent availability.
"The investment by Takeda demonstrates its continued commitment to Ireland. I wish the Takeda team every success as they continue to grow their operations in Ireland.”
About Takeda Ireland
Established in Ireland in 1997, Takeda in Bray, Co Wicklow, manufactures solid oral dosage blockbuster drug products for the European, the US and Japanese markets.
In Grange Castle, Co Dublin, the plant develops and produces Active Pharmaceutical Ingredient’s from clinical trial stages through to launch and full commercialisation for global markets. It employs over 400 people.