MSD Ireland has opened a new manfacturing facility in Swords to develop its new cancer drug.
This is a major investment in the Swords site at Drynam, just north of Holywell, and will see the workforce at the site increase from 350 to 420.
The new facility will develop the cancer drug Keytruda which helps people suffering with skin cancer. The drug has been found to decrease the risk of disease recurrance or death by 24% compared to placebo.
This is the second major pharmaceutical investment in Swords in the last year Korean firm SK Biotech investing €35m in phase one of a major upgrade. That site prepares active ingredients of cancer and heart drugs.
Cllr Ian Carey said:
“It is fantastic to see this level of investment and commitment to Swords by the pharmaceutical industry. We are seeing Swords emerge as a hub for the development of cutting edge cancer drugs and it is great news for the town.
“Swords has had companies like this active for over 60 years and this renewed level of investment guarantees that for many years to come. We should do what we can to support this cluster of pharmaceutical firms so that they get the benefit of locating in the area and have access to skilled workers.”
