Pfizer opens €21m facility at Ringaskiddy

Pfizer has opened a new $30m (€21.6m) facility at its Ringaskiddy plant that will allow the company to manufacture the next generation of cancer, cholesterol and blood-thinning drugs.

New Product Technology Laboratory (NPTL) was unveiled yesterday by Research and Innovation Minister Seán Sherlock who welcomed the job-creation potential of the new facility.

“The opening of this new facility will enable the site to manufacture more complex drugs and those drugs that are in earlier stages of development. Supporting projects like this confirms that we are taking the right steps to ensure that Ireland is a key location for companies like Pfizer to expand and grow their business, and ultimately, create new jobs,” he said.

The development of new capabilities in the manufacturing of niche drugs will help the Ringaskiddy plant to compete to produce new drugs within the global Pfizer production network.

Pfizer vice president Paul Duffy said that Ringaskiddy can now add to its global importance within the Pfizer network.

“There is opportunity for Pfizer’s Irish sites to attract the development of new medicines, while also continuing to manufacture existing, important medicines. This new facility ensures the Ringaskiddy site will be in a position to be considered for development work on Pfizer’s pipeline products.”

Ringaskiddy site leader Seamus Fives said that the site has evolved from making citric acid to working on some of the most complex small molecule medicines in the world.

“The Ringaskiddy site was Pfizer’s first manufacturing facility in Ireland almost 45 years ago — it is fantastic to see the work at the site evolve into high-tech manufacturing. The site commenced with the manufacture of citric acid in 1969 and it is now manufacturing some of Pfizer’s newest and most complex medicines for global export. This is fantastic recognition of the dedication and commitment of colleagues on site.”