By Business & Finance Mallinckrodt plc today announced that it has selected winners in the annual Science Week competition. The company, which welcomed Minister Joan Burton to its Damastown facility this morning, awarded a total of €4,000 worth of scientific equipment to the top three entries.
The competition, which this year was themed ‘What does chemistry mean to me in my everyday life?’, was launched in November, 2013, in conjunction with Pharmachemical Ireland, and was open to first-year students in secondary schools in the Dublin 15 and Co. Meath area.
Representing Mallinckrodt and presenting the awards was Dr David Keenan, recently named vice president, Global External Manufacturing and managing director of Mallinckrodt Pharmaceuticals – Ireland.
Minister Burton said: “I’m delighted to join Mallinckrodt in presenting these awards – it’s refreshing to see an interest in science from children at such a young age and gratifying to see a company like Mallinckrodt supporting science programs in our schools. Over the years Ireland has established itself as a hub for industries in the areas of science, technology and pharmaceuticals and the natural interest in these areas from our younger generation inspires hope that this will continue.”
Dr Keenan said: “I am delighted that we were able to launch these awards as part of a larger 20th anniversary celebration of our manufacturing presence in Ireland, and gratified by the support and interest shown by Minister Burton. These are exciting times at Mallinckrodt as we position ourselves to be a top quartile speciality pharmaceutical company. I am pleased to take on the leadership role of our Global External Manufacturing efforts here in Ireland, which is an indication of the strategic value we see in our presence here. As Mallinckrodt grows, our external manufacturing strategy will become increasingly important as we identify and leverage strategic partners and technologies to enhance value.”
In Damastown, Mallinckrodt employs more than 100 individuals in its principal executive office and manufacturing facility. The 82,000-square-foot, state-of-the-art facility has produced ioversol, a bulk active pharmaceutical ingredient for contrast media, since 1993.
The winners for 2014 are:
- First Highly Commended Certificate – Colaiste na Mí, Johnstown, Co. Meath/Recipient: Kristina Keenan
- Second Highly Commended Certificate – Colaiste na Mí, Johnstown, Co. Meath/Recipient: Theo Oyetunji
- First Place Cheque (€2,500) – Colaiste na Mí, Johnstown, Co. Meath/Recipients: Kian Mooney and Conor Grant
- Second Place Cheque (€1,000) – Loreto Navan, Co. Meath/Recipient: CaoilFhionn Gill
- Third Place Cheque (€500) – Mount Sackville, Chapelizod, Dublin 20/Recipient: Leah Kavanagh
