Gilead launches new manufacturing lab in Cork, Ireland

The American biopharmaceutical firm, Gilead, has launched its new €9.5mn (US$11mn) control lad in its manufacturing facility in Carrigtwohill, Cork, Ireland.

The new lab has been developed in a bid to enhance the firm’s production, targeting the European, Middle East, and Asian markets.

The manufacturing, quality control, packaging, and distribution plant focuses on “unmet medical needs”.

The site predominantly manufacturers Gilead’s hepatitis, HIV, and liver disease drugs, and produces approximately 25% of the company’s tablet medication.

The company has so far invested €191mn ($225.5mn) in Ireland, of which €20mn ($23.6mn) was capital expenditure in 2017.

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500 people across the nation are employed by Gilead, with 390 members of staff working at the Carrigtwohill facility.

“During the last five years, manufacturing of 11 Gilead products has been transferred to the Carrigtwohill plant, resulting in a significant increase in quality control testing requirements,” remarked David Cadogan, Vice President of Manufacturing Operations at Gilead, the Irish Times reported.

“We are delighted to launch this significant expansion, which will have a positive impact on the production of vital medicines for hundreds of thousands of patients around the world.”

“This investment also demonstrates Gilead’s ongoing commitment to developing its operations in Ireland.”