Expansion at Cork company will 'further position Ireland as hub for pharmaceutical excellence'

THERMO Fisher Scientific has officially opened an expanded laboratory at its Cork campus — a development that the company says will enable it to get “potentially life-saving medicines to patients faster”.

The larger facility will effectively double the Cork lab’s capacity to help develop medicines for cancer, lupus, diabetes, and psoriasis, among other illnesses.

The expanded scale-up laboratory is the latest aspect of expansion at the company’s active pharmaceutical ingredient facility.

It was officially opened by the Enterprise, Trade and Employment Minister Simon Coveney, who said that the facility will further position Ireland as a hub for pharmaceutical and manufacturing excellence.

Speaking at the opening, Mr Coveney said: “Thermo Fisher’s investment in this cutting-edge laboratory underscores the innovation and collaborative spirit that drives Ireland’s research and development sector."

“This facility will undoubtedly further position Ireland as a hub for pharmaceutical and manufacturing excellence.” 

Thermo Fisher’s Cork site specialises in developing and manufacturing active pharmaceutical ingredients supporting early-phase clinical studies right through to commercial supply, for a range of customers for use in life-changing treatments.

In recent years, there has been a five-fold increase in clinical manufacturing capacity and the site has gained more than 20 global pharmaceutical and biotech customers.

“As a centre of excellence for chemistry development, our investment in Cork showcases Thermo Fisher's commitment to advancing development of critical medicines in Ireland,” said Vincent Hingot, president of the company’s drug substance business.

“Our Cork colleagues are helping make life better for patients around the world.” 

Edel Collins, general manager of the Cork site, stressed the significance of the expansion.

“This 20-litre laboratory is important in the development of medicines as it allows us to identify and address scale-up risks prior to large-scale manufacture.

“With our existing laboratory at capacity, this new one will help address current demand while creating room for growth.

“It will allow us to support more customers and get potentially life-saving medicines to patients faster,” she said.

Michael Lohan, CEO of IDA Ireland, said the development “is a testament to Thermo Fisher’s commitment to fostering scientific excellence and ground-breaking research in Cork”.

“This investment bolsters Ireland’s reputation as a global hub for innovation,” he continued.

“I’d like to thank Thermo Fisher for selecting the Cork facility as the location of this expansion and wish them continued success.”