AstraZeneca to Invest US$360mn in Advanced Manufacturing

Transforming the Development and Commercialisation of New Medicines

Setting its ambitions to establish a next-generation active pharmaceutical ingredient (API) manufacturing facility for small molecules, AstraZeneca - a leading organisation in the fight against COVID-19 - plans to invest US$360mn in Ireland to ensure its global supply network is suitable for its future growth. 

By developing the new advanced manufacturing facility, AstraZeneca will benefit from late-stage development and early commercial supply by adopting state-of-the-art process technology and digital innovation to meet the needs of its new medicines pipeline with speed and agility. 

“The future manufacturing of APIs for our medicines includes compounds with highly complex synthesis, requiring next-generation technologies and capabilities that can respond quickly and nimbly to rapidly-changing clinical and commercial needs. This significant investment will ensure the AstraZeneca supply network is fit for the future,” said Pam Cheng, Executive Vice President, Global Operations and IT, AstraZeneca.

Investing US$360mn at the Alexion Campus in College Park, Dublin

By investing in the Alexion Campus in College Park (Dublin), 100 highly skilled direct jobs are expected to be created including scientists and engineers, as well as additional indirect jobs. 

The project - developed with the support and collaboration of Ireland’s investment agency (IDA Ireland) - will also boost the local economy and the country’s life-sciences sector. 

“I warmly welcome today’s announcement from AstraZeneca that it is to establish its first ever manufacturing facility in Ireland. This $360 million investment represents a significant commitment to Ireland and will see 100 jobs being created. In choosing Ireland as the location for its new next-generation active pharmaceutical ingredient manufacturing facility, AstraZeneca joins the very strong and successful network of global life sciences companies we have in Ireland. I wish them every success with their operations here,” said Micheál Martin, Taoiseach.

“This is a tremendously proud moment for us all at AstraZeneca and I am delighted that we are bringing this very significant investment to Dublin which, with the support of the IDA, will create highly skilled jobs, nurture the country’s dynamic life sciences sector and allow for the development of high value-added medicines,” added Pascal Soriot, Chief Executive Officer, AstraZeneca.

Expected to significantly reduce commercialisation lead times and costs, and introduce more sustainable manufacturing processes, the project contributes to the company’s Ambition Zero Carbon programme.

By developing industry-leading future proof designs for the plant, AstraZeneca will benefit from the capability to manufacture a wide range of medicines, including new antibody drug conjugates and oligonucleotides.