Shire announced the $400m (€361m) investment to create a biologics manufacturing facility in County Meath, Ireland, during 2016. The aim was to create a site capable of expanding Shire’s manufacturing capabilities, adding 400 roles in the process.
However, last week Takeda stated that the completed site would now be divested, following a strategic review of its global manufacturing network.
In a statement provided by a company spokesperson, Takeda said that the decision had been made as the company ‘no longer requires’ the production capacity at the Dunboyne location.
Further than this, the Japanese drugmaker confirmed that no redundancies would be made, and the 200-strong workforce would remain in place.
At present, the spokesperson confirmed that the company would “ready the site for a buyer” and is “confident in the successful divestment of the facility.”
The facility manufactures two products for the company, though with the site only completed last year, validation is still required, and Takeda is readying the team at the plant to be able to deliver products to patients.
Takeda stressed that despite the closure, “Ireland is a key location within [its] global network,” and further operations within Ireland would be affected. The company also holds locations in Baggot Street, Bray, Citywest, and Grange Castle.