New $30 million specialist high-tech laboratory facility opens at Pfizer Ringaskiddy
Pfizer Inc. (NYSE:PFE) today announces the opening of a new $30 million New Product Technology Laboratory (NPTL) at the Pfizer Ringaskiddy site.
The investment, which is supported by the Department of Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation through IDA Ireland, will enable the site to begin producing products from Pfizer’s pipeline and complex therapies to deal with some of the most devastating and difficult diseases to cure.
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Welcoming the announcement Seán Sherlock T.D, Minister for Research and Innovation said: “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. The pharmaceuticals and life sciences industry is an important sector for the Irish economy and the Government’s Action Plan for Jobs includes a series of measures to sustain and grow this sector.”
Speaking at the opening, Seamus Fives, Site Leader said: “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.”
The $30 million investment in Ringaskiddy is to develop specialist new capability to manufacture some of Pfizer’s newest oncology products and other future pipeline medicines. The introduction of flow processing and innovative technologies requires not just an investment in new equipment but also an increase and deepening of R&D skills.
Dr Paul Duffy, Vice President, Pfizer said: “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. Pfizer’s pipeline currently comprises more than 80 innovative therapies, including potentially first-in-class vaccines for two deadly hospital-acquired infections, new antibodies for lupus and high cholesterol and the next-generation of targeted therapies for cancer. In oncology, we continue to build a strong portfolio of potential cancer therapies and we are also advancing our pipeline assets in rare diseases and personalised medicines.”
‘The API sites in Cork are the default location for the manufacture of the launch materials for small molecule new products and with this investment this role can continue in Ringaskiddy. We have excellent colleagues across our sites, dedicated to the highest standards of manufacturing quality and excellence. These investments are further testimony to the quality and commitment of Pfizer colleagues,” said Niall Condon, Vice President, Pfizer.