- Taoiseach Micheál Martin turns the sod at GE HealthCare in Carrigtohill site ahead of new facility construction
- New $138 million facility at GE HealthCare’s Cork manufacturing site will enable 25 million more patient doses of contrast media per year by the end of 2027
- Demand for CT and X-Ray contrast media, used to enhance medical imaging procedures globally, is estimated to double in the next ten years
- Investment will create additional capacity to cater for growing demand, while offering increased flexibility and resiliency for security of supply
Contrast media are injectable diagnostic imaging agents used to enhance visualization of organs, blood vessels and tissues during medical imaging. Global demand for iodine-based contrast media, used in X-Ray, Computed Tomography (CT) and Interventional procedures is expected to double in the next decade, driven by ageing populations and the increasing global prevalence of chronic disorders. In 2024, the Carrigtohill facility, along with GE HealthCare’s other fill and finish production sites in Shanghai, China, and Oslo, Norway, supplied over 100 million patient doses of contrast media around the world.
The new 3,000m2 facility - which will support both established and pipeline products – will include solution preparation vessels, multi-functional powder handling systems, a new filling line and autoclaves, with advanced automation systems underpinning production. Once established, the additional capacity will cater for the growing global demand, while offering increased flexibility and resiliency across GE HealthCare’s contrast media production network for security of supply.
Speaking at the sod turning, Taoiseach Micheál Martin T.D. said, “GE HealthCare has been manufacturing in Ireland for more than 30 years, and has invested extensively in the Carrigtohill site and the people working here. I am delighted to welcome this significant new investment here in Cork, which is testament to the commitment of GE HealthCare in Ireland, and also to our highly skilled workforce.”
President & CEO of GE Healthcare’s Pharmaceutical Diagnostics (PDx) segment, Kevin O’Neill, said, “As an industry leader we have a responsibility to help meet the growing global demand for contrast media from healthcare providers and their patients. This new facility demonstrates our broader commitment not just to address future demand, but also to increase resiliency and security of industry supply for customers.”
Eugene Barrett, Site Leader and Managing Director, GE HealthCare Ireland, said: “This expansion strengthens our longstanding presence in Cork, where we have a highly skilled team, access to leading talent in the pharmaceutical industry, strong distribution links around the world and a great partnership with IDA Ireland. First doses from our new facility are expected by the end of 2027 and we are proud of the impact our site will continue to make for patients around the world.”
IDA Ireland CEO Michael Lohan said, IDA Ireland CEO Michael Lohan said: “Today’s announcement by GE Healthcare to expand their manufacturing facility and related expertise for producing vital pharmaceuticals and creating employment opportunities is very welcome. It’s an endorsement from GE Healthcare senior leadership team of the confidence in the capability and competency of the team at the Carrigtohill campus developed over three decades. I wish GE Healthcare every success with this investment and assure them of IDA Ireland’s continued partnership and support.”
All stages of GE HealthCare’s contrast media manufacturing, from development of Active Pharmaceutical Ingredient (API) to finished product, adhere to Good Manufacturing Practices. With over 4000 employees globally, the PDx business also develops and supplies radiopharmaceuticals used to support diagnosis, monitoring and treatment selection across Neurology, Cardiology and Oncology clinical pathways. Across its portfolio, PDx enables four patient procedures every second globally.
Engineering firm, IPS-Integrated Project Services, will lead the project with enabling construction works starting at the Carrigtohill facility in February 2025, and over 250 construction roles expected to be created.