Maureen Larkin
Executive Director and Site Lead (College Park) Alexion, AstraZeneca Rare Disease
For the 300 million people worldwide living with a rare disease, having effective treatment could be the difference between life and death. That’s why advancing access to treatment is crucial.
Making these critical medicines demands a unique understanding of patient needs, intricate biological processes and an unwavering commitment to reliable supply. At Alexion, AstraZeneca Rare Disease, we recognise this profound responsibility and are leading the way in sustainable manufacturing of cutting-edge therapies for rare diseases, from Ireland.
Precision-driven, life-saving manufacturing
Manufacturing for rare diseases isn’t simply about producing medicine; it is about giving people options. We understand the serious consequences of any delay in getting medicine to an individual who urgently needs it.
The manufacturing of these therapies is complex. We work with living cells, meticulously nurturing them through an intricate production process. We constantly monitor the cells, interpreting their needs and adjusting the environment accordingly. Whether it is providing additional nutrients, adjusting oxygen levels or managing CO2, this intricate dance of data analysis and biological response requires advanced technology and a deep understanding of cellular dynamics.
Personalised medicines will redefine how we operate
Looking ahead, we must advance our processes and ways of working — following the science is key. Personalised medicines present a unique opportunity for patients and a challenge for manufacturers, requiring highly specialised treatments tailored to an individual’s genetic makeup. At Alexion, we are exploring how we can introduce innovative solutions, including automation, artificial intelligence and advanced biological methods, as we evolve how to develop these highly specialised therapies.
We work seamlessly across sites to
ensure the development, scalability
and timely delivery of our therapies.
Collaboration and diverse thinking unlock potential
People who can collaborate and offer diverse thinking are critical to success. Ireland’s close-knit pharmaceutical network fosters valuable collaboration. At Alexion, our cross-site multidisciplinary approach between Dublin and Athlone is a strength we leverage. We work seamlessly across sites to ensure the development, scalability and timely delivery of our therapies.
Another tenet of how we are advancing our manufacturing business is through enhanced diversity and inclusion. Better representation of women in manufacturing is proven to deliver improved innovation and a wider range of perspectives. We run several programmes to increase representation of women and other under-represented groups in the workplace, encouraging them to consider technical roles early in their career journey.
Enabling rare disease progress
Bold decision-makers, courageous future leaders and a determination to continuously advance how we operate can ensure that we continue to not only manufacture medicines, but to help build a world where people living with a rare disease have options.