Takeda announces expansion of stem cell therapy production facility

Takeda Ireland, a subsidiary of Takeda Pharmaceutical Company Ltd, today announced a €36 million investment in its Grange Castle facility. The investment will support the expansion of the company’s cell therapy production facility and create approximately 100 new jobs over the next three years.

The commercial-scale cell therapy production facility is the first of its kind in Ireland. Following the expansion, the team at Grange Castle will play an important role in supplying European, US and Canadian markets with a cell therapy treatment option for patients.

Commenting on the announcement An Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment, Leo Varadkar T.D., said “I’m really pleased Takeda Ireland is expanding in Grange Castle, creating 100 jobs over the next three years. Our highly skilled workforce is just one of the reasons why Ireland is recognised as a global hub for biopharmaceutical companies like Takeda. I wish them every success with their expansion plans.”

Thomas Wozniewski, Takeda Global Manufacturing & Supply Officer, commented: “The investment to expand this state-of-the-art cell therapy production facility highlights the importance of cell therapy for Takeda. The expansion of the cell therapy manufacturing line in Grange Castle will help us to serve more patients worldwide, and it underlines our commitment to Ireland as a key country. With its advanced use of digital technologies, the cell therapy manufacturing lines in Grange Castle are a testimony to our innovation capabilities.”

Paul Keogh, Grange Castle Site Head, commented: “Since beginning operations in 2007, the Grange Castle site has grown from strength to strength thanks to a great team and strong investment in our people and technology. The investment announced today further highlights Grange Castle as a trusted manufacturing site in the network and that’s something we are very proud of.”

CEO of IDA Ireland, Martin Shanahan said: “Takeda’s continued investment at its Grange Castle facility and the creation of 100 additional highly-skilled roles demonstrates a huge vote of confidence in Ireland and our strong value proposition. Cell therapy is a core pillar in the emerging field of Advanced Therapy Medicinal Products (ATMPs), widely considered as the next generation of pharmaceutical therapies.

These products require highly innovate approaches to manufacturing and offer unparalleled opportunities in the treatment of disease. This investment is an important endorsement of Ireland’s reputation as a global location of excellence for next-generation biopharmaceutical products.”