GE HealthCare Invests $138M in Cork, Ireland Manufacturing Facility

GE HealthCare has invested $138 million to expand its Carrigtohill, Cork, contrast media fill and finish manufacturing site in Ireland. A new state-of-the-art facility on the grounds of the existing site will enable 25 million more patient doses per year of contrast media by the end of 2027.

The new 3000m2 facility will support established and pipeline products and 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 to the growing global demand, offering increased flexibility and resiliency across GE HealthCare’s contrast media production network for security of supply.

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.”

Contrast media are injectable diagnostic imaging agents used to enhance the 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 aging populations and the increasing global prevalence of chronic disorders. 

All stages of GE HealthCare’s contrast media manufacturing, from the development of Active Pharmaceutical Ingredient (API) to the finished product, adhere to Good Manufacturing Practices. With over 4000 employees globally, the PDx business develops and supplies radiopharmaceuticals used to support diagnosis, monitoring, and treatment selection across Neurology, Cardiology, and Oncology clinical pathways. 

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.”