By Business & Finance 
The Life Science 50, in association with HSBC, is a definitive guide to the top performing life science companies across Ireland, a country now a globally recognised centre of excellence in this industry. Here, we feature the Life Science 50: R-Z.
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Regeneron
Regeneron is a leading science-based biopharmaceutical company based in Tarrytown, New York that discovers, invents, develops, manufactures, and commercialises medicines for the treatment of serious conditions.
The company has announced a series of investments at its Limerick facilities in recent years, expected to top 500 jobs and $650m by the end of 2017 in the creation of its 400,000 square-foot Industrial Operations and Product Supply campus.
The company’s European Business Office opened in Dublin city centre in 2013.
Vice President & Site Head, IOPS, Limerick: Niall O’Leary
Roche
One of the world’s largest biotech companies, the Roche Group is a leading international healthcare company focused on pharmaceuticals and diagnostics.
Roche is also the world leader in in-vitro diagnostics, tissue-based cancer diagnostics and a pioneer in diabetes management. The Swiss-headquartered company is active in more than 150 countries and employs over 80,000 people worldwide.
Roche Ireland Limited is a subsidiary of the Roche Group. The Irish manufacturing facility was established in 1974 as Syntex in Clarecastle, Co. Clare.
In 1994, Syntex Ireland became part of the pharmaceutical division of the Roche Group when Roche acquired the Syntex Corporation. Roche’s Irish pharmaceutical commercial operations are headquartered in Citywest, Dublin, and the company employs over 300 people across a wide range of disciplines.
General Manager: Sheri Morin
Rottapharm
Based in Dublin, Rottapharm is involved in the preparation and packaging of oral solids and the preparation of crystalline glucosamine sulfate. The manufacturing facility located in Dublin was built in 1998 and was expanded in 2009.
The Dublin plant holds numerous certifications, including the license granted by the Irish Medical Committee, the Brazilian ANVISA certification and the German certification for medical devices (TUV).
The Dublin plant was the first to adopt a leaner production strategy that then extended to the entire production system of the Group. Rottapharm is now part of the Meda Group, and the Dublin plant employs 170.
Managing Director: Patrick Garrahy
Sanofi-Aventis
French company Sanofi-Aventis is one of the world’s leading pharmaceutical companies. From its base in the Citywest Business Campus in Dublin, Sanofi-Aventis Ireland sells and markets pharmaceutical products to wholesalers, retailers and the hospital sector.
Sanofi in Ireland markets drugs in a wide range of medical areas including oncology, metabolic disorders, cardiovascular, thrombosis, central nervous system and internal medicine.
In Ireland the group includes the business units of Sanofi Pharmaceutical Operations, Genzyme, Merial, and the company’s vaccines joint venture Sanofi Pasteur MSD.
General Manager: Mary Dickens
Shire Pharmaceuticals
Shire Ireland is a subsidiary of Shire plc, a global specialty biopharmaceutical company.
Based in Citywest in Dublin, Shire focuses on a number of therapeutic areas including Alzheimer’s disease and ADHD, and a number of speciality pharmaceutical ranges including therapies for some genetic disorders.
Shire Ireland was founded in 1994 and it was the first Shire office operated outside of the UK. In April of 2016 the company announced a $400m investment in Ireland, creating around 400 jobs over four years at a 120-acre site at Piercetown, Co. Meath.
This year, the pharma group created a further 150 jobs.
VP, Head of International Supply Chain: Vincent Dunne
Sigma-Aldrich
In 2015, pharma manufacturer Sigma-Aldrich was acquired by Merck, in the largest acquisition in the latter’s 350-year history.
Merck’s life sciences operations now encompass 19,000 employees, 65 manufacturing sites worldwide and €3.4bn in revenues. The deal closed at $17bn.
Sigma-Aldrich’s Irish operations are at Arklow, Co. Wicklow.
Site Director: James Ennis
Stryker
Stryker is one of the world’s leading medical technology companies and at its five facilities in Ireland is involved in the development and manufacture of orthopaedic implants, biomaterials and surgical instruments.
In 2016, the company officially opened its new Surgical Innovation Centre in Cork.
Stryker established an Irish presence in 1998 and now employs over 2,200 people in Cork and Limerick. The new state-of-the-art centre is geared towards the development of new technologies and products.
Recently, GE Additive, General Electric’s additive manufacturing division, announced a partnership with Stryker to support the company’s growth in the 3D printing field.
This agreement will provide Stryker with new additive machines, materials, and services for its global supply chain operations.
Vice President: Aidan O’Shea
Takeda Ireland
Takeda Ireland is a subsidiary of Takeda Pharmaceutical Company Limited, a global research-based pharmaceutical company.
Established in Ireland in 1997, Takeda employs over 400 people in the manufacturing of drug products, packaging, sales and marketing. Takeda Ireland Limited (Bray) was established in 1997. Since its first shipment in September 1999, it has served as Takeda’s main pharmaceutical production base for the European and US markets.
Takeda Ireland Ltd (Grange Castle) is Takeda’s first API plant constructed outside Japan.
Completed in 2002, it is Takeda’s worldwide headquarters for API manufacturing, development and technical support. Takeda Products Ireland Limited (Citywest) was established to market Takeda’s products throughout Ireland.
President & CEO: Greg Timmons
Teleflex Medical
Teleflex is a global provider of medical devices, focused on critical care and surgical procedures with healthcare providers in more than 140 countries with global operations in 25 countries.
Telefelex is also involved in vascular access, anesthesia, respiratory care, urology, cardiac care and surgery.
Since its establishment in Ireland in 2007, Teleflex has grown to employ more than 150 people, who support the company’s growing business in the EMEA, Asia Pacific and India. Headquartered in Pennsylvania, Teleflex employs around 12,200 people worldwide and serves healthcare providers in more than 150 countries.
Managing Director: Gerry McCaffrey
Teva
Teva Pharmaceuticals Ireland is part of Teva Pharmaceutical Industries Ltd, the world’s leading generic pharmaceutical company, and specialises in the development, production and marketing of generic and proprietary branded pharmaceuticals, as well as active pharmaceutical ingredients.
Teva Pharmaceutical Ireland’s commercial arm is based in Dundalk and is responsible for managing the sales and support services for Teva’s large portfolio of products.
The company’s proprietary research and development pipeline is currently focused primarily on three niche specialty areas: neurological disorders, autoimmune diseases and oncology
Teva is a major employer in Ireland with hundreds of highly skilled staff working in the company’s Waterford-based manufacturing facility, which includes a research and development department on campus. The Waterford plant is of major strategic importance within the Teva manufacturing network and is responsible for the manufacture and development of respiratory products for supply to global markets.
UDG Healthcare
Established in Ballina, Co. Mayo in 1948 as a co-operative controlled by Irish pharmacists, UDG Healthcare plc – formerly United Drug – is a leading international provider of services to healthcare manufacturers and pharmacies, with 8,000 employees with operations in 23 countries and delivering services in over 50 countries, including Ireland, the UK and the US.
Following the Group’s decision to move its primary listing to London Stock Exchange in 2012, the company went through a major rebrand – from United Drug to UDG Healthcare plc – which was completed in October 2013.
In July, it was announced that the company had sealed a deal to buy a US-based healthcare management consulting firm for up to €28m.
The Vynamic acquisition will sit in the company’s Ashfield division, which provides commercialisation services to the pharma and healthcare industries.
Chief Executive: Brendan McAtamney
Vistakon/Vision Care Ireland
Vistakon Ireland was established in Limerick in 1996 and is one of several Johnson & Johnson companies operating in Ireland, altogether employing approximately 2,500 associates.
Johnson & Johnson Vision Care, headquartered in Jacksonville, Florida, designs, manufactures and markets the Acuvue range of soft disposable contact lenses.
General Manager: Barry O’Sullivan
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