Thermo Fisher Celebrates Golden Anniversary in Currabinny

By Tara Maher

On the 4^th July, 1975, the site where Thermo Fisher now stands was officially opened in Currabinny, where it has championed science for the last 50 years. 

The site, then known as Penn Chemicals, was officially inaugurated on a sunny day in July 1975 by Mr. Richard Barry T.D., then Minister for Health, according to a contemporary newspaper article. It was notable as the second pharmaceutical company to establish a presence in the lower harbour area, following Pfizer.

Over the past 50 years, the site's name has evolved through various iterations (Penn Chemicals, SmithKline Beecham, GSK, Thermo Fisher Scientific). However, its core mission has consistently remained the same: advocating for science in delivering the highest quality medicines to patients. 

Today, ThermoFisher focuses on developing and manufacturing active pharmaceutical ingredients for medications that address over 30 diseases, including cancer, Parkinson’s, HIV, diabetes, psoriasis, and various rare diseases. 

ThermoFisher staff celebrating 50 years in business.

The Currabinny team at ThermoFisher is proud to continue the company's legacy of positively impacting millions of patients worldwide. Today, their 500 highly skilled colleagues are committed to the mission of "enabling our customers to make the world healthier, cleaner and safer."

Last week, Prof. Anita Maguire, head of the School of Chemistry at UCC, was a special guest at the Thermo Fisher town hall event, commemorating their 50th anniversary. Anita completed her student internship on-site many years ago, and gave her perspective on the evolution of medicinal chemistry, as well as the emerging opportunities and challenges in the field.

"How we do our work is as important as the work itself," a company representative shared with The Carrigdhoun. Their dedication to environmental responsibility is central to the Thermo Fisher mission. They have a long-standing commitment to positively impacting the local communities of Currabinny and Carrigaline through philanthropic initiatives and employee volunteerism. This commitment has manifested in various ways, including supporting STEM education in local schools and colleges, and awarding €250,000 to local community groups and charities through the annual Community Partnership Grant over the last five years.

 Thermo Fisher is committed to achieving net-zero emissions by 2050. A key initiative in this effort is their on-site wind turbine, which recently marked its 10-year anniversary. Over the past decade, the turbine has generated more than 75,000 megawatt-hours (MWh) of electricity, enough to power approximately 17,000 homes for a year, and has prevented over 44,000 metric tons of carbon dioxide equivalents from entering the atmosphere. Beyond renewable energy, Thermo Fisher also prioritizes minimizing environmental impact through reduced energy and water consumption, waste reduction and recycling, and the maintenance of their four-hectare Lough Beg Bird Reserve and wildlife sanctuary.

As Thermo Fisher Currabinny celebrates 50 years of scientific advancement, it looks to the future with a continued focus on innovation, environmental stewardship, and community engagement. The site's enduring legacy of transforming lives through science, while prioritizing sustainability and local impact, positions it for continued success in the decades to come.

The ThermoFisher site in 1975