Skip to main content

Biopharma

  • Be part of an established ecosystem for pharmaceutical and biopharma activity, combining technology, talent and research

  • We offer regulatory stability, sub-supply capability, a multicultural workforce and collaboration opportunities with industry partners

Source the skills you need to make your investment in Ireland a success

Connect with us

Source the skills you need to make your investment in Ireland a success

Connect with us
Factory Building

A Global Pharma Leader

Ireland’s life sciences sector has a global reputation for operational and innovational excellence. Leading industry names including Novartis, AbbVie, Janssen, Pfizer, Sanofi, Lilly, AstraZeneca, MSD, Bristol Myers Squibb and Takeda have significant operations here.

  • 90+ pharmaceutical companies operate in Ireland
  • 45,000 people employed in IDA client companies
Optimization Rocket Growth

Geographic Positioning

Leveraging its strong base of pharmaceutical companies in Ireland, which is the world’s third-largest exporter of pharmaceuticals according to the UN International Trade Statistics database. The Biopharma and Medtech sectors are continuously evolving, expanding its capabilities to include innovation, digitalisation and next-generation technologies

  • €116+ billion annual exports
  • Third largest exporter of pharmaceuticals globally
Conversation Chat Bubble

Collaboration Opportunities

Multinational pharmaceutical companies operating in Ireland can find numerous opportunities for collaboration with domestic companies, a network of life sciences sub-supply providers, and multiple industry-focused research centers spanning a variety of technologies.

  • Facilitated sharing of best practice between companies
  • Active industry-academic partnership in technology, materials, manufacturing and more
Ranking Winner

Strength in Compliance

Pharmaceutical companies in Ireland benefit from the country's exemplary compliance record with regulatory agencies like the FDA and EMA. These agencies collaborate closely with our Health Products Regulatory Authority (HPRA) to ensure trouble-free compliance.

  • 50 FDA-approved pharma and biopharma plants
  • Fair oversight of regulated companies and a culture of excellence in compliance
Recruiting Employee Target Validated Check

World-Class Talent

Ireland’s industry can avail of skilled talent in existing pharma sites, experienced in quality assurance, quality control, product development, science and engineering. There’s also unrestricted access to the EU labour pool of over 240 million people.

  • Strong links with universities provide local talent matched to industry needs
  • Fast-track support for employment permits for skilled international labour

We are committed to Ireland and will work with all local partners to build this state-of-art next generation biomanufacturing facility as a showcase to the global biotech community

See similar companies in Ireland

Gilead
WuXi Biologics
GE Healthcare
Sanofi
Abbvie
Zoetis
Baxter
MSD
Merck
West
Janssen
Bristol Myers Squibb
Takeda
Novartis
Pfizer
Lilly
Regeneron
Johnson

Success Stories: Hear from leaders calling Ireland home

A proven path

See all Success Stories
Qualcomm
Cadence
Mediolanum
Diligent
eSentire
Logitech
Ireland is a strategic IT and engineering hub for chip giant

Ireland is a strategic IT and engineering hub for chip giant

Ireland is one of Qualcomm’s fastest growing R&D Centres, and the availability of talent and motivated people… are making meaningful contributions in terms of our technology roadmap.

Cork facility designated as European R&D Centre of Excellence

Cork facility designated as European R&D Centre of Excellence

The timing and scale of this Cadence investment is a real boost to Cork’s growing reputation as a specialised R&D hub. Due to our proximity to the University College Cork and Munster Technological University as well as to Ireland’s largest ICT research centre, The Tyndall Institute, the region provides an amazing engineering and computer science talent pool to draw from.

The European asset management HQ for the group set up in Dublin in 1997

The European asset management HQ for the group set up in Dublin in 1997

What makes the Irish ecosystem unique from other financial services centres in Europe is the breadth of different types of companies and businesses in the financial services industry, paired with the presence of a massive technology cohort. The location has helped a lot of cross-pollination and access to talent with the mindset of the tech companies. Today, financial services companies must become tech companies; you need these cultures blending together if you want to stay relevant.

Educated workforce enables rapid ramp-up for software company

Educated workforce enables rapid ramp-up for software company

In other jurisdictions that we looked at, they literally wanted you to land and sign the deal. Whereas the IDA were very powerful in thinking about the next wave of growth beyond the first 200 people, and what type of skills we might look for then. It genuinely does feel like a partnership rather than a one-and-done, and the after-sales experience is excellent too.

 eSentire's Cork site has become a service delivery centre of excellence and now employs 52 people

eSentire's Cork site has become a service delivery centre of excellence and now employs 52 people

There’s a global shortage of cybersecurity professionals, it’s well documented that it’s very hard to hire and retain cybersecurity professionals. We’ve been able to hire very high-quality talent, who are doing a great job. There’s a very strong work ethic and culture here, eSentire has several very, very strong partnerships, and I emphasise the word ‘partnership’. A good example is Munster Technological University: they have what I would describe as the leading programme in cybersecurity in Ireland, hands down.

Logitech’s Irish presence dates back more than three decades to 1988

Logitech’s Irish presence dates back more than three decades to 1988

We’re pleased to see Logitech’s Cork operations grow to encompass more opportunities ahead of the new year. This is a reflection not only of Logitech’s long-term performance, but also the wonderful culture and spirit our employees have developed, here and across the world. At Logitech, talent working out of Ireland is shaping the future, and enjoying it! We’re very grateful to IDA Ireland for their consistent support over the years.

Find your European home

Find your European home