Dunboyne Co. Meath, Ireland, September 21, 2020 - MSD has concluded the acquisition of the Dunboyne manufacturing facility of Takeda Dunboyne Biologics Limited, a subsidiary of Takeda Pharmaceutical Company Limited (TSE:4502/NYSE:TAK) (”Takeda”), it was announced today. The state-of-the-art, flexible manufacturing facility, which will now be known as MSD Dunboyne Biologics, has been acquired as a going concern and the 200 employees associated with the site have concluded the consultation process and will now join MSD Ireland’s existing 2,500 strong workforce. The divestment agreement was first announced in August 2020.
Thomas Wozniewski, Takeda Global Manufacturing & Supply Officer, commented: “We are pleased that we can announce the conclusion of the divestment of the Dunboyne Biologics plant. Both teams have done tremendous work in delivering the necessary work in a short time. With MSD, we believe we have found a company that is most suitable for the Dunboyne facility and we expect a great future for the Dunboyne team. We wish the departing Dunboyne team every success within the MSD network.”
Sanat Chattopadhyay, Executive Vice President & President, Manufacturing Division, MSD, commented: “We are delighted to welcome the Dunboyne site to the MSD network and we look forward to working with the site leadership team and all of the existing employees to collectively realise the full potential of the facility. The Dunboyne facility will play an important role in MSD’s existing manufacturing network, both in Ireland and globally, helping to make the medicines of tomorrow that will positively impact patients globally. The addition of this state-of-the-art facility will further expand our significant manufacturing presence across Ireland and will complement the work already underway across our five sites here. Our existing Irish sites play a pivotal role in manufacturing some of our company’s most significant medicines and vaccines and I look forward to enhancing our operations even further with the addition of this new facility and its talented team to our network.”
Commenting on the announcement An Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment, Leo Varadkar T.D, said “This is good news for Meath. Today’s decision gives staff security after what has been an undoubtedly stressful time and paves the way for future development of the site. I wish MSD the very best with the venture.”
CEO of IDA Ireland, Martin Shanahan said: “I would like to congratulate both parties on the conclusion of the acquisition of the Dunboyne manufacturing facility. This acquisition allows MSD to further develop the site and secures the employment of the 200 staff onsite. MSD is a leading global pharmaceutical company with a long track record of successful operations in Ireland. The company is a substantial and valued employer whose commitment to Ireland is evidenced by the significant capital investment it has made over the years in its different sites here.”
NOTES TO EDITORS:
In January 2020, Takeda announced its intention to divest of its Dunboyne Biologics facility. The divestment decision followed a strategic review of the Takeda global biologics manufacturing network, initiated following the acquisition of Shire, which identified that production capacity at Dunboyne would no longer be required. Takeda immediately commenced a divestment process to seek the most suitable buyer for the facility, as a going concern. Following an intensive sales process over the past months, Takeda has reached agreement with MSD to acquire the facility.
About Takeda
Takeda Pharmaceutical Company Limited, a global, values-based, R&D-driven biopharmaceutical leader committed to bringing better health and a brighter future to patients by translating science into life-changing medicines, has been established in Ireland since 1997. Across Ireland, Takeda has commercial operations, corporate services and two manufacturing facilities in Bray and Grange Castle.
www.takeda.com/en-ie
About MSD
MSD (tradename of Merck & Co., Inc., Kenilworth, N.J., USA (NYSE: MRK), is one of Ireland’s leading healthcare companies, currently employing over 2,500 people across its existing five sites. MSD’s operations in Ireland play a significant role in the company’s global network, exporting to more than 60 countries worldwide. For more than 125 years, MSD has been inventing for life, bringing forward medicines and vaccines for many of the world’s most challenging diseases in pursuit of our mission to save and improve lives.
www.msd-ireland.com