MSD To Create More Than 300 New Jobs In Carlow And Cork

Global biopharmaceutical company MSD has revealed plans is to create 330 new jobs in Carlow and Cork.

Making the announcement today, 30 May, the organisation added it will invest €280 million over the next three years at the two sites due to increased demand for its medicines and vaccines produced in Ireland.

MSD's facility in Brinny, Co. Cork, is an integrated site for the development, testing and manufacturing of biologics, specialising in the fermentation, purification and sterile filling of biotech products. Over 200 new roles will be created to meet demand for work on some of the company's important treatments – medicines for lung cancer, melanoma, hepatitis C and rheumatoid arthritis.

Elsewhere, the company's manufacturing site in Carlow will see 120 new roles created at the site. Carlow also is an important link in MSD's network of sites producing its new immuno-oncology treatment for the global market.

Overall, the new roles to be created include technical, engineering, biochemistry, biology, quality and operations positions.

Minster for Jobs, Enterprise & Innovation, Mary Mitchell O'Connor, TD welcomed the announcement while addressing over 1,200 senior MSD business leaders at the company's annual Europe, Middle East, Africa & Canada Congress in Dublin.

Addressing the Congress, the Minister said she: "Warmly welcomed the new investment and additional jobs announced by the company for their facilities in Carlow and Co. Cork. MSD has been at the cutting edge of bio pharmaceutical innovation over recent years and their Irish operations are at the heart of many of the company's exciting new products.

"It is particularly gratifying that this expansion and additional job creation will take place in two regional locations, thereby strengthening the Government's efforts to ensure balanced industrial development around the country."

Sanat Chattopadhyay, MSD Executive Vice President and President of MSD's Manufacturing Division, said: "Today's announcement is a reflection of MSD Ireland's positive standing in our global network, a vote of confidence in our people and their work, and a sign of MSD's future commitment to Ireland.

"The expansion of our presence in Ireland is a testament to the talent of our Irish employees. In recent years our Irish businesses have played an increasingly important role in the production of some of MSD's most important breakthrough medicines for the global market."

(LM/CD)