Leading healthcare company, MSD, has announced it is to invest €11.5 million in its Carlow site this year, which will significantly enhance facilities and services on-site and speaks to MSD’s ongoing commitment to Carlow and the local community.

The announcement was made during an official visit by the United States Ambassador to Ireland, Kevin O’Malley, who toured the facility along with representatives from IBEC and IPHA.

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This is the latest phase in a significant investment programme at the Carlow manufacturing facility that has involved a €312 million investment in the facilities over the past seven years.

The site, a state-of-the-art 200,000 sq ft biologics operation, is MSD’s first stand-alone human vaccine facility, producing vaccines for customers across the world. In addition, it is leading MSD’s work in the development of a new oncology treatment. Speaking about the investment, Jean-Albert Pittaluga, Site Lead, MSD in Carlow, said, “The production facilities here in Carlow are best in class internationally and this substantial investment reflects MSD’s ongoing commitment, both to Carlow and to supporting the growth and expansion of innovative product lines led by a highly-skilled Irish workforce. Through our continued focus on innovation and new product development, we look forward to growing our manufacturing output in Ireland and offering new treatment options to patients.”

Kevin O’Malley, US Ambassador to Ireland, said, “I’m delighted to have the opportunity to meet the MSD team in Carlow and learn more about the world-leading manufacturing facilities and operations. Since taking up the position as US Ambassador to Ireland, I have witnessed first-hand the hotbed of innovation and talent that exists here in Ireland, such as that of MSD. To see such a substantial investment being made in growing and developing these innovations locally in Carlow, particularly in the area of human vaccination, is hugely encouraging.”