Astellas Pharma, a pharmaceutical company based in Japan, will establish a new manufacturing facility in Tralee in County Kerry, Ireland, to expand the ability to produce aseptic drug products and bolster stable production for worldwide distribution, while expediting the development and launch of innovative antibody drugs and other novel products.
The company planned to submit a planning application for the facility in September 2023, followed by Kerry County Council’s approval of a ten-year planning permission to build the facility in December 2023.
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Being developed with an estimated investment of €330m ($354m), the project is expected to generate 600 jobs during the construction phase and 100 highly specialised jobs after completion.
The groundbreaking ceremony for the facility took place in March 2024, with operations anticipated to commence by 2028.
Location
The facility will be situated within the Industrial Development Authority’s (IDA) greenfield site at Kerry Technology Park, Dromtacker, in the town of Tralee, County Kerry.
Kerry Technology Park spans 45.7 hectares of parkland within walking distance of Tralee town centre. It is adjacent to the Munster Technology University’s new campus.
IDA Ireland is an official agency responsible for attracting and retaining inward foreign direct investment into Ireland.
Astellas Pharma’s new manufacturing facility details
The state-of-the-art manufacturing facility will be built as a three-story structure, covering a total floor area of 17,000m² (182,986ft²). The building footprint will be 7,300m² (78,576ft²) within a total site area of 44.7 acres.
The facility will specialise in the production of aseptic drug products and pharmaceutical products, including antibody drugs. It will focus on the development of transplant, kidney, bladder and cancer drugs.
Sustainability features
The facility’s design will prioritise sustainability, serving as a testament to Ireland’s appeal for investment on a regional scale. It will align with Astellas’ ambitious sustainability objectives and values, integrating the most effective national and international approaches to energy efficiency and environmental design.
The project aims to halve water usage, reduce operational energy intensity by more than one-third and achieve zero waste to landfill, in comparison with the LEED® [Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design] baseline. The measures, together with onsite renewable technologies such as solar photovoltaic (PV) panels and biomass boilers, underscore Astellas’ commitment to climate change mitigation.
Contractors involved
John Sisk & Son, a construction and engineering company based in Ireland, has been appointed as the construction manager for the facility. The company plans to collaborate with local stakeholders and supply chain partners to construct a sustainable building.
Marketing commentary on Astellas Pharma
Astellas Pharma employs 14,484 people and operates across 70 countries and regions including Japan, Europe, the US and Asia, with 16 research and development centres and eight manufacturing bases of which two are in Ireland – one in Mulhuddart, Dublin and the second in Killorglin, County Kerry.
Despite the company’s existing presence in both Kerry and Dublin, the new investment for the addition of a new aseptic drug product facility signifies the strategic importance of Ireland in its global operations.
The company’s product portfolio includes XTANDI® for prostate cancer, PADCEV® for urothelial cancer, XOSPATA® for acute myeloid leukaemia (AML), VEOZAH™ for menopausal vasomotor symptoms, EVRENZO® for anaemia associated with CKD, BETANIS®/MYRBETRIQ™/BETMIGA™ for overactive bladder and the immunosuppressant PROGRAF® (tacrolimus).
Astellas is also venturing beyond its traditional Rx focus to develop Rx+® healthcare solutions by merging its expertise with cutting-edge technology from various external partners. The initiatives place Astellas at the vanguard of healthcare innovation, translating scientific advancements into value for patients.
