Featured Success Story
Ireland has really become a place where a lot of Europeans want to work and we've been very lucky in attracting great talent from all over Europe that are now working in Dublin
Featured Success Story
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Cork has become the global hub of choice for international headquarters of technology companies, home to over 100 technology companies. With over 40,000 students across Cork’s two universities, NetApp’s decision to base its international headquarters in Cork provides access to a talent pool that is truly worthy of supporting the robust and evolving technology market. As well as being a part of the vibrant emerging business scene in Cork, NetApp’s hybrid working model means there are opportunities for technical and non-technical candidates across Ireland.
MeiraGTx
Founded in 2015, gene therapy startup MeiraGTx focuses on developing potentially curative treatments for patients living with serious genetic diseases of the central nervous system, eye, and salivary gland. MeiraGTx believes that fine-tuning gene therapy could potentially expand its range to treat non-hereditary diseases such as cancer, diabetes and heart disease. The company has six programmes in clinical development, including one compassionate use programme and a broad pipeline of preclinical and research programmes.
A first in Ireland
In 2020, MeiraGTx set up its first production facility in Ireland, a 150,000 sq ft site at Shannon in the Midwest. It is one of the first investments of its kind in Ireland, capable of commercial-scale gene therapy manufacturing.This internal manufacturing capability now available to MeiraGTX helps to remove a key obstacle in the supply chain which can add significant cost in gene therapy manufacturing supply. The complex holds three facilities: one designed to be flexible and scalable for viral vector production; a unit to make plasmid DNA which is the starting material for gene therapy; and a quality control hub.
Building on progress
In 2021, to increase capability, the company began construction of a second viral vector facility, also located at Shannon. This site includes in-house quality control and fill and finish suites.How Ireland Helps MeiraGTx
- MeiraGTX’s Irish facility will employ 100 people initially, potentially growing to 300
- It is the first site in Ireland to deliver commercial-scale gene therapy manufacturing
- Shannon facility is strategically important, helping MeiraGTx overcome supply blocks
MeiraGTx’s Shannon facility is unique, not only in Ireland but globally, as it streamlines gene therapy development, testing and manufacturing capabilities together in-house. This significantly reduces the time to patients for advanced therapeutic products, with months or potentially years saved.”
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