Bio-Pharmaceutical & Pharmaceutical Sectors

Ireland has emerged as a top-class location for the bio-pharma and pharmaceutical sectors. Currently 13 of the top 15 world pharmaceutical companies have substantial operations in Ireland, and 6 out of the world’s top 10 selling drugs are produced here. Exports exceed €35billion annually and the sector directly employs 17,000. Ireland’s biotechnology sector is primed for growth and Waterford County Council seeks to play a pro-active role in facilitating the expansion of this sector in Ireland.

Reflecting importance of the sector to the Irish economy Waterford can offer the comprehensive range of infrastructure and supports required to build a successful bio-pharma and pharmaceutical sector as follows:

• Strong Academic Research Centres of Excellence and Industry Links: Universities and third level institutions have invested significantly to deliver world-class bio-science technology research. The National Institute for Bio-processing was established in University College Dublin to provide training and research to the bio-processing industry in Ireland. This was funded by the Science Foundation Ireland, who provides support to scientific research in Ireland. In University College Cork the Bio Science Research Institute was established to undertake top-class research in the sector and to facilitate knowledge exchange with industry. In addition, the Alimentary Pharmabiotic Centre at University College Cork conducts research and harnesses industry links with in the pharma and functional food sector. Recently, GlaxoSmithKline, a company with a base in Dungarvan, County Waterford, in association with the Alimentary Pharmabiotic Centre announced a €14.6million research initiative. Also locally, FÁS set-up €3.5million Bio-Pharma Process Training Centre. The centre provides training facilities for employees of the sector.
  
  
• Mature & Sophisticated Business Environment: The South of Ireland has a strong tradition in the Bio Industry. As illustrated above, this has meant that the skills required to develop a successful sector are available in the region. In addition to providing a skilled labour force, the region can provide the expertise to plan, deliver and service facilities and make sure that supply chains can be accessed. Business employers associations such as Irish Business Employers Confederation (IBEC), Enterprise Ireland and IDA Ireland have all established a network and other supports to help build a successful bio-pharma sector in Ireland. The Irish BioIndustry Association is the leading representative body for the biotechnology industry in Ireland.
  
  
• Zoned Locations:Waterford County Council is keen to ensure that the County represents a competitive location for the Bio-Pharma sector. The County Council has zoned lands at Coolnamuck, on the outskirts of Carrick-On-Suir to provide high quality technology park type companies including information communications technology, biotechnology, medical devices and research and development. This is a strategic site which is adjacent to national road infrastructure, is serviced by electricity, gas and water supply lines and additional services can be delivered depending on demand and usage.
  
  
• Strategic Sites: In addition to the site at Coolnmuck, a range of strategically located sites throughout County Waterford would provide the water, gas and electricity supply. We are glad to discuss the opportunity to develop bio technology sector at alternative sites.

Bio-Tech Success
The South of Ireland, including Waterford, is particularly has successfully established a pharmaceutical and bio-pharma cluster. The region has attracted significant investments from profile names in the sector such as:

• Altana Pharma (Germany)
• Arkopharma Laboratories Pharmceutiques (France)
• Bausch & Lomb (United States)
• Cognis (Germany)
• Cambrex (United States)
• Cara Partners (Germany)
• Clonmel Healthcare (Germany)
• Eli Lilly (United States)
• Genzyme (United States)
• GlaxoSmithKline (United Kingdom)
• IVAX Pharmaceuticals (United States)
• Janssen Pharmaceuticals (United States)
• Johnson Matthey Pharmaceuticals (United Kingdom)
• Merck Sharp & Dohme (United States)
• Novartis (Switzerland)
• Pfizer (United States)
• Ranbaxy (India)
• Recordati (Italy)
• Sanfoni Aventis (France)
• Taro Pharmaceuticals (United States)

Reflecting Ireland’s strong position in the sector Amgen, the largest bio-technology company in the World announced a US$1billion investment for the South of Ireland. This follows the success of other large scale bio-technology campuses in Ireland, including for example Wyeth €1.8billin campus at Grange Castle along with the 1million sqft campus in Newbridge.