29th May 2019
Industry now exports over €73 billion per annum
Minister for Business, Enterprise and Innovation Heather Humphreys today launched “Ireland – the Global BioPharmaChem Location of Choice”, the 5 year strategy of BioPharmaChem Ireland (BPCI), the Ibec group that represents Biopharmaceutical and Chemical Manufacturing) at government buildings.
Speaking at the launch, Minister Humpreys stated: “Ireland’s continued success in biopharmaceutical manufacturing is a fitting testament to the innovative companies that are based here and to the commitment of our talented people. In launching this new strategy, BioPharmaChem Ireland has built on those strengths and set out a clear vision for the future development of the industry over the next number of years. As Minister, I am very aware of the importance of this sector to our economy and I look forward to working together to maintain and grow Ireland’s position as a global leader in biopharma manufacturing.”
Also speaking at the launch, BPCI Director, Matt Moran, said: “The phenomenal growth of the sector in Ireland is no accident – it has been achieved by world class companies who continually focus on innovation and through delivering new and improved products to the market. We have always tried to stay at the cutting edge including a campaign to encourage Government to focus on biotechnology in the mid-1990s. This has paid dividends and over the last decade alone, in excess of €10 billion euro has been invested by the industry in bio-manufacturing operations in Ireland. Looking forward, we need to focus on the next phase of development including the digitisation of manufacturing and advanced therapeutics.”
BPCI Chair Patricia Quane, VP and General Manager, Astellas Ireland added: “The strategy is designed to bring the industry to its next phase of innovation. We are proud of our international reputation with all of the top 10 global BioPharma companies operating in this country.”
Since its foundation in 1994, BPCI has overseen an extraordinary growth in the industry with Ireland’s exports from the sector increasing from €6 billion to €73 billion in 2018. In addition, employment increased during the period from 18,000 to over 30,000, with the result that Ireland is regarded internationally as being one of the industry’s most important manufacturing locations in the world.
ENDS
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