MSD is planning to build a manufacturing facility in Co Carlow which could create more than 100 long-term jobs.

Late last month, MSD submitted a planning application to Carlow County Council to develop the facility, with a decision due in May this year.

The application states that MSD is looking to build a sterile manufacturing facility at the site of its existing biologics formulation and filling

facility in Carlow with the new development having a total gross floor area of over 1.9 acres.

If the planning application is successful, MSD could create more than 100 long-term jobs and more than 600 construction jobs at the site.

It will include a new two-storey building, incorporating production suites, utilities, a warehouse, workshops, laboratories, offices, and plant rooms.

In August MSD received planning approval to build a new €140m manufacturing facility linked to an existing plant in Ballydine, Co Tipperary.

It also submitted plans to develop a large solar farm to help power its Ballydine plant – an investment potentially worth over €5m. The solar farm,

which was granted planning permission last month, could contribute 15pc of MSD Ballydine’s electrical energy and offset over 3.4 million

kilograms of CO2 per annum.