SK Biotek recently held an opening ceremony for its pharma manufacturing plant in Ireland. It is the first Korean pharma company to invest in Ireland and it marks the company’s first facility in Europe.

SK bought the API facility in Swords, Dublin from BMS back in June 2017. BMS’s staff of more than 360 employed at the Swords Campus and dedicated to API operations, transitioned to SK Biotek as of January 1, 2018. 

The acquisition of Swords Campus represents the progression of a growth plan for SK Biotek, which says it’s goal is to become a top tier global contract pharmaceuticals manufacturing firm by 2020.

SK Biotek plans to operate and develop the Swords Campus as a stand-alone contract development and manufacturing organization (CDMO), which will manufacture pharma products to specification for other pharmaceutical companies on a contract basis. SK Biotek has also confirmed that it intends to add marketing along with research and development staff, while investing to bring additional API manufacturing capacity to the Swords Campus.

“With Ireland being at the forefront of global pharmaceutical manufacturing excellence, Swords Campus brings with it a strong legacy and rich history, which spans more than 50 years of excellence in pharma production,” said Junku Park, chief executive officer, SK Biotek. “The stellar reputation of Swords Campus both in manufacturing and regulatory affairs, and most importantly in its talented workforce who are joining us on the journey, will greatly help to drive our near-term ambition to become a leading global CDMO. We plan to enhance technological capability and manufacturing capacity and build long-term partnerships with existing and new customers and look forward to growing our presence in Swords in the coming years.”