Pharmaceutical giant MSD Ireland has opened a new manufacturing facility in Swords, Co Dublin, to increase the supply of its blockbuster cancer drug Keytruda.

The facility is part of its MSD Biotech arm. MSD has invested more than €1 billion in the site since construction began in 2018.

The company said the site already plays a 'pivotal role' in the manufacture of its biologics-based medicines, including immuno-oncology. The opening of the new site has created 350 jobs and there are currently 70 open positions at the site.

MSD employs nearly 3,000 people across its six sites in Ireland, and in recent years has invested over $4 billion in its Irish operations.