Ashland completes second expansion of Viatel™ bioresorbable polymers manufacturing and R&D lab in Mullingar, Ireland

Wilmington, Del. - Ashland has completed the second expansion of its pharmaceutical injectables manufacturing and R&D lab at the National Science Park in Mullingar, Ireland and will celebrate the moment with a ribbon-cutting ceremony on August 22, 2024.

This enhancement, completed as scheduled, significantly expands Ashland’s footprint, capabilities and headcount of their Irish facility focused on delivery of innovative bioresorbable polymer chemistry to meet increasing market demand. Continuing investment also underscores Ashland’s commitment to the company’s new innovative technology platforms announced last September. One of seven platforms, bioresorbable polymers enable customers to create improved pharmaceuticals, medical devices and tissue engineering solutions.

This project is supported by the Irish Government through IDA Ireland.

“It is excellent news that Ashland has completed their expansion project on their manufacturing and R&D lab at the National Science Park in Mullingar,” said Peter Burke, minister for enterprise trade and employment, Ireland. “This significant investment in my hometown and in the Midlands region itself demonstrates Ashland’s commitment to Ireland and further strengthens Ireland as a global leader in the life sciences sector. It is encouraging to know that the work undertaken there will lead to innovative medical solutions. As Ashland expands, they will find ample talented graduates in the local surrounds and from the nearby Technological University of the Shannon (TUS) to fulfil that growth. All the best to the Ashland team on this momentous occasion.”

“Expansion of our facility in Ireland showcases Ashland’s commitment to continued innovation in injectables technology,” said Alessandra Faccin, senior vice president and general manager, life sciences, Ashland. “We are actively engaging with our customers to help them solve for performance attributes that reduce injection frequency and yield better therapy outcomes.”

“Ashland is accelerating the delivery of cutting-edge chemistry and responding to growing customer requirements for existing and new polymers with greater speed,” said Seán McMahon, Ph.D., global business manager, pharmaceutical injectables, Ashland. “Our Viatel™ bioresorbable polymers play a crucial role in developing improved treatment solutions for chronic diseases including long-acting release formulations, bioresorbable medical devices, and tissue engineering scaffolds,” McMahon concluded.

Ashland supplies over 70 GMP grades of lactide/glycolide/caprolactone copolymers within its growing Viatel™ portfolio and offers custom-made and ultrapure polymer production options.

“Ireland’s reputation as a leading hub for life sciences is further strengthened by Ashland’s expansion of its operations here,” said Mary Buckley, Executive Director of IDA Ireland. “Our supportive business environment, combined with access to the exceptional talent available in the Midlands, provides an attractive location for investment. I wish the Ashland team every success with this expansion.”

This expansion highlights the importance of collaboration for site and technology development in Ireland as part of Ashland’s strategy to globalize their innovative  technology platforms and focus on the pharmaceutical market. To learn more, visit Viatel™ bioresorbable polymers.