Takeda has opened a new cancer drug manufacturing plant in Dublin, Ireland. This marks the Japan-based group’s first API facility outside of its home nation.
The facility will produce Ninlaro, an oral combination therapy for multiple myeloma, for global distribution. The plant will take care of all steps in the process of producing the oncology treatment. This includes manufacturing the API, producing the drug, packaging and eventual supply.
Christophe Weber, CEO of Takeda, said: “This new plant in Grange Castle is an important strategic site for us as it is not only the first overseas manufacturing centre for APIs outside of Japan, but it houses all the steps of the production process.”
The company invested US$67 million in the Dublin facility, with a local outcome of creating 40 new jobs.
In 2009, the company merged subsidiaries Takeda Ireland (TIL) in Kilruddery and Takeda Pharma Ireland (TPI) in Dublin into a single operation, but has been present in the country for 17 years.
IDA Ireland Executive Director Mary Buckley added: “Manufacturing excellence in pharmaceuticals is a hallmark of Ireland’s success in the sector.”
Momentum
This is not the only activity the company is progressing in the European nation. The company is investing $33.5m in what will be the first commercial-scale cell-therapy production facility in Ireland. Following the example set by the Dublin plant, this facility will also house all steps of the production process for the regenerative medicine.