MSD Acquires WuXi Vaccines Facility in Dundalk for €500m
In a significant acquisition move, pharmaceutical giant MSD has agreed to acquire the WuXi Vaccines manufacturing facility in Dundalk, Ireland. Ireland’s Foreign Direct Investment Agency (IDA) and Merck’s MSD Ireland unit announced the sale on Monday.
Valued at over €500 million, this acquisition follows MSD’s recent announcement of a €1 billion investment across its Dunboyne and Carlow sites. Currently, about 200 professionals are employed at the leading global biopharma contract manufacturing giant WuXi facility in Dundalk. The site is a 15,520-square-meter, three-story vaccine manufacturing facility featuring drug substance manufacturing, drug product manufacturing, and quality control labs for the supply of vaccine products for the global market.
MSD has also revealed plans to create approximately 1,000 new jobs over the coming years at its eight locations in Carlow, Cork, Dublin, Louth, Meath, and Tipperary. The company currently employs over 3,000 people across its various Irish sites.
The handover process for the Dundalk facility is expected to be finalised within the first half of the year.
Samantha Humphreys, Managing Director of MSD Ireland Human Health, said:
“Our company’s continued ambition to expand MSD’s Irish footprint is a testament to the unique ecosystem around us, and in particular speaks to the passion, commitment and talent of our existing 3,000-strong workforce and what they have been able to accomplish for our global network – from MSD Ireland to the world. I am very proud to be part of this exciting new chapter as we continue to expand, adding new capabilities and challenging ourselves to look at the health requirements of the future.”
Sanat Chattopadhyay, Executive Vice President and President of MSD’s Manufacturing Division, said:
“MSD’s manufacturing footprint in Ireland is unparalleled, and I am proud to oversee its continuous expansion, always looking to advance the future of health through innovation and acceleration in the service of people and patients around the world. The acquisition of this WuXi Vaccines site in Dundalk will give us the opportunity to do just that: deliver for people and patients faster, looking at the health challenges of today and tomorrow.”
Commenting on the announcement, An Taoiseach Simon Harris, TD, said:
“Today’s announcement is highly welcome news and is a tremendous vote of confidence in the people of Dundalk and Co. Louth. MSD is a long-standing partner to Ireland and has shown an unwavering commitment both to the country and to its drive to innovate. The acquisition of the Dundalk facility, along with the company’s plans to add 150 additional jobs to it, as part of an overall increase of 1,000 positions across its Irish operations in the coming years will play an important role in its development and delivery of innovative products that will improve the lives of millions of people around the world.”
Michael Lohan, CEO of IDA Ireland, said:
“This acquisition and accompanying 150 new roles announcement by MSD Ireland is a huge testament to Ireland’s position as a global leader in the pharmaceutical value chain, continuously attracting strategically innovative investments to our shores. Our partnership with MSD Ireland spans nearly 50 years, and it’s exciting to see the company continue to both deepen and broaden its roots all across the country, expanding to its new location in Dundalk.”
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