Astellas Pharma plans to submit a planning application to build a new facility at an approximate cost of €330 million in Tralee, Co. Kerry, Ireland.
“This investment by Astellas will expand our capacity and capabilities for aseptic drug products, reinforce stable production for global supply, and accelerate the development and commercialization of innovative antibody drugs and other new products,” said Naoki Okamura, president and CEO.
The facility will be based on the Industrial Development Authority’s (IDA) greenfield site in Kerry Technology Park, bringing specialized engineering, science, and technology roles to the region.
“Astellas is developing innovative drugs and technologies based on our focus area research and development approach, placing patients at the forefront of everything we do,” noted Hideki Shima, chief manufacturing officer at Astellas. “With the new facility, Astellas will aim to strengthen our in-house production capacity and capabilities and ensure a stable supply of high-quality Astellas medicines to patients around the world.”
The new facility in Tralee reportedly will be built in line with Astellas’ sustainability targets and values incorporating national and international best practices in energy and environmental design. The project aims to cut water use by about half, reduce operational energy intensity by more than one-third, and produce zero waste to landfill (compared with LEED® baseline). These measures, along with onsite renewable technology including solar PV panels and biomass boilers, underpin Astellas’ efforts in the mitigation of climate change.
The site area includes 44.7 acres, a three-story building with a total floor area of 17,000 m2, and a building footprint of approximately 7,300 m2. Subject to planning permission, construction will begin in 2024 with the site expected to be operational by 2028.
