[Kalpana]

• Pfizer to invest $130 million on Irish facilities
  

Ireland this year is going to see a lot of development in the pharmaceutical sector. None other the pharma giant Pfizer is stepping in with huge investments. Currently as per announcements $30 million is being invested in the Ringaskiddy site in Cork and $100 million is being invested in the Grange Castle site in Dublin. Investment in Grange Castle is expected to bring double productivity to current process of rheumatoid arthritis which in turn will bring a lot of profile. Expansion of site is also expected to build proper space for mammalian biotechnology processes. This is going to bring many products in Ireland pharma pipeline.
Consturction has been launched and the facility will be operational in 2015, followed by design, operations and process validation. Further audits can be expected by US-FDA, Health Canada, EMEA etc, for approving the site for production of international quality drugs. Whereas, Ringaskiddy site investment is aimed at developing speciality anti-cancer drugs, some of them are novel and will be newest addition to the pharma plans of Pfizer.

As per news agencies the latest investment is supported by IDA Ireland, the country's investment agency, and the headed by chief executive Barry O'Leary said that the Ringaskiddy site was Pfizer’s first production house in Ireland with a history of 45 years and "it is fantastic to see the work at that site evolve into high-tech manufacturing". Pfizer in last four decades has invested more than $7 billion in Ireland since opening its first site. Currenty the pharmaceutical giant employs 3,200 people at six sites in the country.

What to look for as outcomes?
#Around new 250 jobs are expected to be announced, so keep an eye for jobs in Ireland. All those who are graduating in recent years have really good chance to get absorbed.
#Cheaper and high quality anti-cancer, arthrities drugs, etc.
#A big leap for biotechnology industry in Ireland.