Our History
The Syntex Area
1974
Manufacturing Plant established in Clarecastle, Co. Clare as part of the Syntex Corporation. The key product was Naprosyn®, a non-steroidal, anti-inflammatory drug used in the treatment of arthritis. Naprosyn® became the largest selling anti-arthritic prescription drug in the US and several other countries.
1989 - 1992
Nicardipine (Cardene®), Ketorolac (Toradol®) and Mycophenolate Mofetil (Cellcept®) production commenced onsite.
1993
Naproxen patent expired.
1994
Syntex Corporation acquired by the Roche Group. Syntex Ireland joins the Pharmaceutical Division of Roche.
The Roche Area
1996
Plant renamed Roche Ireland Limited (RIRL),
Phase II plant opened to produce Mycophenolate Mofetil (Cellcept®)
1997
Ceased Naproxen (Naprosyn®) manufacture
1999
Commenced production of Orlistat(Xenical®) and Saquinavir(Fortovase®).
Celebrated 25 years at Clarecastle.
ISO 14001 Accredition from NSAI
2000
Expanded Orlistat (Xenical®) capacity from 45 Tonnes to 225 Tonnes
2001
Expanded Mycophenolate Mofetil (Cellcept®) capacity to 150 tonnes.
Granting of first IPC licence by EPA
2002
OSHAS 18001 Accreditioin from NSAI.
2004
Celebration of 30 years in Clarecastle
MEETA, the Irish Maintenance Institute, awarded Roche Ireland "The Award of Maintenance Excellence"
2005
Roche Ireland awarded "Best Employee Share Plan in a Company with less than 750 employees", by the Irish ProShare Association
Roche Ireland received the first "Pharmachemical Ireland Responsible Care Award"
2006
Opening of new €5.4m R&D and Quality Compliance laboratories
Closure of the d,I-Acid plant
2007
04 and 05 plants merge to work as one
Landfill is capped and landscaped
2008
Received the Roche Responsible Care Award
Received the Green Light Award for Excellence in Accounting