Pfizer to expand County Dublin manufacturing site

Pfizer has announced plans to expand the capabilities of its biotechnology manufacturing facility in Clondalkin, County Dublin.

The company has pledged a $200 million (128.2 million pounds) investment to create two new processing suites at the Grange Castle site, thereby expanding current production and product testing capabilities.

Pfizer's announcement has been welcomed by regional development agency IDA Ireland, as it will lead to the creation of 400 new construction jobs and bolster the local life science sector.

It will also aid the production of two key Pfizer products, Enbrel and Prevenar 13, while strengthening the company's manufacturing and supply network worldwide.

Dr Paul Duffy, vice-president for external supply at Pfizer Global Supply, said: "Pfizer has made a tremendous contribution to Ireland's life sciences industry since it was first established here in 1969 and this investment is a further demonstration of the company's continuous commitment to Ireland."

This comes after the firm announced the creation of new US facilities after signing a ten-year lease agreement with the Massachusetts Institute of Technology.