The three-story, 17,000-square-meter facility will be based on the Industrial Development Authority’s (IDA) greenfield site in Kerry Technology Park, Tralee.

Hideki Shima, Astellas’ chief manufacturing officer, said: “Astellas is developing innovative drugs and technologies based on our Focus Area research and development approach, placing patients at the forefront of everything we do. With the new facility, Astellas will aim to strengthen our in-house production capacity and capabilities and ensure a stable supply of high-quality Astellas medicines to patients around the world.”

For the new facility to meet Astellas' sustainability goals, the company aims to cut water use by about half, reduce operational energy intensity by more than one-third and – compared with LEED baseline – produce zero waste to landfill. In addition, the new facility will onsite renewable technology including solar PV panels and biomass boilers.

Subject to planning permission, construction is scheduled to commence in 2024, with the site expected to be operational by 2028.