Singapore: Japanese drug giant Takeda is planning to invest nearly €40 million in a new facility in Dublin in a move that will lead to the creation of 40 jobs. The company first invested in the country about 20 years ago, in 1997 and is now planning to build a production facility, dedicated to manufacture its oncology product NINLARO (TM) for global markets from Dublin. The move is set to further expand Takeda's Irish footprint.

Takeda is the largest pharmaceutical company in Japan employing more than 400 people at its three sites in Dublin. Plant Director at Takeda Ireland Grange Castle, Mr Paul Keogh said in a statement that the additional investment in Ireland "demonstrates the confidence and commitment" Takeda has in its Irish operation.

Mr Keogh said, "We are delighted that Takeda has chosen Ireland for this investment and proud that we have been entrusted with the responsibility to produce and deliver this very important treatment for cancer patients worldwide. We have a great team here in Ireland and are committed to continuing to put patients first through the timely manufacture and supply of high quality products from our site."

Welcoming the investment, Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation, Minister Mitchell O'Connor said, "The pharma industry makes a huge contribution to the Irish economy in terms of jobs and exports, and is one of the fastest growing sectors. Takeda's decision to manufacture their new cancer treatment in Ireland is a great win and vote of confidence in Ireland and it builds on our ongoing expansion of the sector here. I'm delighted that this investment will bring a further 40 jobs to the company's existing Clondalkin facility."

IDA Ireland CEO Mr Martin Shanahan too commented on the investment and said, "Ireland is globally recognised as a centre of excellence in life sciences due to the country's regulatory track record and talent availability."