Merck has officially opened a €150 million advanced filtration manufacturing facility in Blarney, Cork, marking the company's largest Life Science investment to date in Ireland. The 3,000-square-meter cleanroom facility will produce critical filtration products used in manufacturing therapies including vaccines, monoclonal antibodies, and emerging modalities such as cell and gene therapies.
Strategic Investment in Biopharmaceutical Manufacturing
The Blarney facility represents part of Merck's €440 million commitment across its Cork operations in Blarney and Carrigtwohill. This expansion is expected to support more than 200 new jobs in Cork by 2028, reinforcing Ireland's position as a key hub in Merck's global manufacturing network.
"Ireland's reputation as a global hub for biopharmaceutical manufacturing and innovation is further strengthened by Merck's significant investment in Cork," said Minister of State Jerry Buttimer. "This commitment highlights the attractiveness of our region for leading life sciences companies."
Jean-Charles Wirth, chief executive of Merck Life Science, emphasized that expanding manufacturing at the Cork site will reinforce Ireland's position as a key hub in Merck's global network.
Advanced Manufacturing Capabilities
The facility is scheduled to begin production in the fourth quarter of 2025, manufacturing filtration devices essential for three critical applications:
- Aseptic processing filtration
- Tangential-flow filtration
- Virus filtration
These technologies are essential for ensuring that medicines are safe, sterile, and effective for patients. The facility will support the production of advanced therapies including antibody-drug conjugates (ADCs) and viral vectors for gene therapy.
Climate-Neutral Operations
The Blarney facility will operate as a climate-neutral facility from the outset, aligning with Merck's corporate strategy to achieve climate neutrality by 2040. This sustainability focus leverages Ireland's renewable energy infrastructure, where over 80% of electricity comes from renewable sources.
Global Expansion Strategy
This investment is part of Merck's €2 billion Life Science global expansion program announced in 2020 to meet growing worldwide demand for life-saving therapies. The program reflects the company's strategic pivot toward high-growth areas including monoclonal antibodies, cell and gene therapies, and single-use manufacturing solutions.
The Ireland expansion follows Merck's broader industry trend of moving away from traditional blockbuster drugs toward niche, high-margin modalities that address unmet medical needs. The company's recent $3.9 billion acquisition of SpringWorks Therapeutics, specializing in oncology, signals its commitment to building a pipeline of differentiated therapies.
Ireland's Biopharmaceutical Ecosystem
Ireland's appeal extends beyond the Blarney facility, with the country's biopharma cluster offering a skilled workforce, favorable policies, and proximity to both EU and U.S. markets. The €290 million investment in a membrane manufacturing facility in Carrigtwohill, alongside the Blarney project, will create over 370 jobs by 2027.
The National Institute for Biological Research and Training (NIBRT) has played a pivotal role in training professionals for complex biologics production, addressing a global shortage of skilled workers in cell and gene therapy and other cutting-edge fields.
