(Shannon, 8th August 2018):  Edwards Lifesciences Corporation, the global leader in patient-focused innovations for structural heart disease and critical care monitoring, announced its first day of business at its initial site located in the Shannon Free Zone.

Minister of State for Trade, Employment, Business, EU Digital Single Market and Data Protection, Pat Breen TD joined Edwards colleagues John P. McGrath, Ph.D. Corporate Vice President, Quality, Regulatory, Clinical; Nathan Tenzer, Plant General Manager; Daniel Howk, Senior Director of Quality alongside Rachel Shelly, Manager, Med Tech Division, IDA and Enda McLoughlin, Regional Business Development Manager for the Mid-West Region in marking the occasion. 

Minister Breen, who is also a TD for Clare, stated, “This is very positive for the Mid-West and I congratulate everyone involved in bringing it to fruition. The presence of Edwards Lifesciences is a vote of confidence in the capacity of the Mid-West to attract one of the world’s most progressive and innovative companies and it sends a signal to others that this is a location worth considering. My Department and the IDA will continue to support Edwards as it develops its operations, and we wish the company every success in Ireland.”

Headquartered in Irvine, California, USA, and employing more than 12,000 people globally, Edwards Lifesciences recently announced the company’s establishment in Ireland, which will over the next several years result in an estimated €80m investment and 600 jobs in the Mid-West of Ireland.  Edwards is planning to hire approximately 60 people this year in various functions, such as production staff, engineering and professional management, to work at its initial site located in the Shannon Free Zone, with the majority of these positions already filled. 

Commenting on the first day of business, Nathan Tenzer, Plant Manager said, “This is an exciting day for the team here at Edwards Lifesciences.  Our first day of business represents many years of planning to invest in our global operations to support the development and manufacturing of our patient-focused innovations.  We look forward to getting our operations in Shannon underway and continuing to work closely with our local team and the communities in the Mid-West as we pursue our longer-term plan of opening a purpose-built facility also in the Mid-West, to help us serve even more patients around the world.”

Michael Lohan, IDA’s Head of Life Sciences, said, “IDA is delighted to see the progress made by Edwards Lifesciences since announcing plans in March of this year to build its first plant in the European Union in Ireland. Today’s ‘First Day of Business’ event marks another milestone in their journey here. We assure our continued support for this project and will follow the company’s progress with interest.”

The company is continuing to hire new employees at its initial facility in Shannon. People interested in applying for a position can find out more information and submit applications at www.edwards.com/irelandjobs

About Edwards Lifesciences
Edwards Lifesciences, based in Irvine, Calif., is the global leader in patient-focused medical innovations for structural heart disease, as well as critical care and surgical monitoring.  Driven by a passion to help patients, the company collaborates with the world’s leading clinicians and researchers to address unmet healthcare needs, working to improve patient outcomes and enhance lives. For more information, visit www.edwards.com and follow us on Twitter @EdwardsLifesci.

This news release includes forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933 and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. These forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to, statements by Minister Breen, Mr. Lohan and Mr. Tenzer, and statements regarding expecting timing and scope of new manufacturing operations. Forward-looking statements are based on estimates and assumptions made by management of the company and are believed to be reasonable, though they are inherently uncertain and difficult to predict. Our forward-looking statements speak only as of the date on which they are made and we do not undertake any obligation to update any forward-looking statement to reflect events or circumstances after the date of the statement.

Forward-looking statements involve risks and uncertainties that could cause the results to differ materially from those expressed or implied by the forward-looking statements based on a number of factors including but not limited to unexpected changes or delays related to regulatory approvals, construction timing, scope of hiring, or other company dynamics. These factors are detailed in the company's filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission including its Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2017. Our filings, along with important product safety information, are available at www.Edwards.com.

Edwards, Edwards Lifesciences, and the stylized E logo are trademarks of Edwards Lifesciences Corporation.  All other trademarks are property of their respective owners.