Life Sciences - Pharmaceuticals
Ireland is home to operations by some of the world’s leading pharmaceutical and biotechnology companies.
Who are the key players?
GSK is the worlds second largest pharmaceutical company and a world leader in the areas of anti- infectives, central nervous system and respiratory. GSK established a manufacturing facility in Cork in 1974 to develop and produce bulk pharmaceuticals. Why has Ireland become a location for repeat investments by GSK?
Merck & Co. Inc is a global healthcare company ranked no. 8 in the world for pharmaceutical sales. Merck is a global research-driven pharmaceutical company dedicated to putting patients first. Established in 1891, Merck currently discovers, develops, manufactures and markets vaccines and medicines to address unmet medical needs.
Wyeth has four production and development operations in Ireland employing over 3000 people. Wyeth is the biggest employer and largest single investor in the pharmaceutical industry in Ireland.
Pfizer is the largest pharmaceutical company in the world and produces human and animal medicines and consumer healthcare products. Pfizer has eight operations in Ireland employing over 2,000 people in both high end manufacturing and research and development.
Genzyme Corporation is the fourth largest independent pharmaceutical biotechnology in the world. In 2001 Genzyme Corporation announced the establishment of a new multi phase manufacturing facility on a 31 acre site in Waterford. In 2007 Genzyme Ireland Limited was approved an R&D grant of €3.9 million in support of a major new R&D investment of €19.5 million in facilities and R&D projects involving four platform technologies.
In 2008 Genzyme Ireland Limited was approved for a project involving an investment of €134 million for an expansion of the sterile fill/finish facility, the manufacture of soft gel capsules and new laboratories and offices. Employment in Genzyme Ireland Limited is currently 270.
What IDA can do for potential investors in the Pharmaceutical Sector:
- Provide financial support
- Provide information on the pharmaceutical sector in Ireland.
- Assist in setting up business in Ireland.
- Introduce potential investors to local industry, government, service providers and research institutions.
- Offer advice on property solutions.
IDA has 15 offices located world-wide and has experts in the field of pharmaceuticals in each of these offices including New York, California, Paris, Tokyo and more recently opened offices in the emerging markets of China and India.
(Specific email to be created for pharmaceutical sector)
IDA works closely with Ireland’s other Enterprise Agencies in order to secure increased overseas investment in the pharmaceutical sector in Ireland. Included amongst these Agencies are;
Science Foundation Ireland
SFI is the national foundation for excellence in scientific research. SFI is investing in academic investigators and research teams, to generate new knowledge, leading edge technologies and competitive enterprises in the fields of science and engineering which underpin the broad areas of Biotechnology, Information and Communication Technology and sustainable energy and energy efficient technologies.
Enterprise Ireland
EI is responsible for the development and promotion of the indigenous business sector. Its mission is to accelerate the development of world class Irish companies in all sectors including pharmaceutical, to achieve strong positions in global markets resulting in increased national and regional prosperity. EI facilitates collaborative links between enterprise and the research community that lead to the practical application of research in business, yielding benefits to both groups.
NIBRT (Biotechnology Sector)
IDA funds NIBRT, (National Institute for Bioprocessing, Research and Development), an institute that provides training and research solutions for the bioprocessing industry. NIBRT is based on an innovative collaboration between University College Dublin, Trinity College Dublin, Dublin City University and Sligo Institute of Technology.
NIBRT’s mandate is to support the development of the existing bioprocessing industry in Ireland and to attract additional bioprocessing companies by;
- Training highly skilled personnel for the bioprocessing industry.
- Conducting world-class research in key areas of bioprocessing.
Key IDA people
Dave Shanahan
Leonora Bishop
Related Companies
- E-G
- H-J
- K-M
- N-P
- Q-S
- T-V
- W-Z
- Astellas Ireland Co., Ltd.
- Abbott Ireland Pharmaceuticals Operation (AIPO)
- Astellas Ireland Company Limited
- AHP Manufacturing B.V. T/A Wyeth Media Ireland
- All-Technology (Ireland) Limited
- Athlone Pharmaceuticals Limited
- Allergan Pharmaceuticals Ireland
- Alza Ireland Ltd
- Allergan Medical - (Inamed)
- Atlantic Industries (Coca Cola)
Funded by the Irish Government under the National Development Plan 2007-2013
© IDA Ireland 2010
© IDA Ireland 2010
