The Life Sciences industry in Ireland has long been a cornerstone of the country’s economy, boasting a dynamic landscape of pharmaceutical, biotech, and medical device companies. As of 2024, this sector is experiencing significant growth, spurred by both local innovation and international investments. Ireland’s robust regulatory environment, skilled workforce, and strategic location make it a global hub for Life Sciences, driving advancements that span from drug development to sophisticated medical technologies.

Here’s a look at some of the key announcements from the first half of 2024 that highlight the dynamic growth of this sector.

UPS Healthcare: New Facility in Dublin

Investment: €12 million 

Jobs Created: 30 

UPS Healthcare opened a state-of-the-art healthcare logistics facility in Dublin with a €12 million investment. Spanning 6,000 m², the facility has created 30 new jobs and is designed to provide advanced temperature-controlled logistics solutions. This development underscores UPS’s commitment to supporting Ireland's pharmaceutical and medical device industries, which are increasingly dependent on precise logistics for biologics and specialty pharmaceuticals.

APC and VLE Therapeutics: Major Expansion in Cherrywood

Investment: €100 million 

Jobs Created: 300 

Irish multinational biotech and pharma group, APC and VLE Therapeutics, announced a €100 million expansion at its Cherrywood Campus in Dublin. This project will add 300 R&D jobs, doubling the workforce to over 600 employees. The new Medicine Accelerator Campus aims to accelerate the development and market entry of new medicines, leveraging technologies like AI to enhance the  to enhance manufacturing processes.

Bristol Myers Squibb: $400 Million Investment in Cruiserath

Investment: $400 million 

Jobs Created: 350 

Bristol Myers Squibb (BMS) is expanding its Cruiserath facility in Dublin 15 with a $400 million investment. The expansion will create 350 new jobs, bringing the total workforce to over 1,000. The new sterile drug product facility will boost BMS’s manufacturing and laboratory capacity, supporting a range of therapies including oncology, immunology, and hematology. This significant investment marks another milestone in BMS’s long-standing presence in Ireland.

NeuroBell: Expansion in Cork

Investment: €2.1 million 

Jobs Created: 12 

NeuroBell, a Cork-based MedTech start-up, has secured €2.1 million in funding to expand its team by 12, focusing on engineers, quality assurance, and business development roles. Founded by Dr. Mark O’Sullivan, Dr. Alison O’Shea, and Colm Murphy, NeuroBell is developing an AI-powered device to detect seizures in newborns, aiming for a 2025 market launch following FDA approval.

Carelon: Limerick Expansion

Jobs Created: 100 

Carelon Global Solutions, a health-tech company, is creating 100 new jobs in Limerick, increasing its total Irish headcount to 310. The new roles span product management, data analysis, cybersecurity, and various engineering disciplines. Carelon’s Limerick R&D hub continues to be a focal point for the company’s expansion, bolstered by Ireland’s rich R&D ecosystem.

Evernorth Health Services: Innovation Hub in Galway

Jobs Created: 100 

Evernorth Health Services, part of The Cigna Group, is establishing a new innovation hub in Galway, creating 100 jobs over the next few years. The hub will focus on software strategy, architecture, and product management, enhancing Evernorth’s capacity to innovate in pharmacy, care, and benefits solutions.

Saint-Gobain Life Sciences: New Production Facility in Dublin

Jobs Created: 30-40 

Saint-Gobain Life Sciences has opened a new production facility in Dublin, expected to create 30-40 jobs over the next three years. The facility will boost production capabilities for life sciences and biopharmaceutical components, supporting the manufacturing of critical treatments, including cancer therapies, vaccines, and treatments for rare diseases.

PCI Pharma Services: New Facility in Meath

Facility Size: 82,000 sq ft 

PCI Pharma Services has signed a 25-year lease for a new 82,000 sq ft facility at CityNorth Business Campus in Stamullen, Co. Meath. This expansion complements its existing 45,000 sq ft operations and is expected to be completed by Q1 2025. The facility will enhance PCI’s pharmaceutical packaging capabilities, supporting the development and commercialisation of critical medicines.

EnteraSense: Funding and Expansion in Galway

Funding: €3.8 million 

Galway-based MedTech firm EnteraSense has raised €3.8 million to support the development and distribution of its PillSense technology, a device for detecting gastrointestinal bleeding. The funding round included investments from Cook Medical and University of Tokyo Edge Capital Partners. This infusion will aid EnteraSense’s mission to improve patient management and diagnosis of gastrointestinal conditions.

NIBRT: Dublin

Investment: €21 million

The National Institute for Bioprocessing Research and Training (NIBRT) has launched a new advanced therapies research and training facility. This €21 million project, supported by the Irish Government through IDA Ireland, includes 1,800 m² of new space with seven research laboratories and state-of-the-art training suites. The facility will focus on cell, gene, and oligonucleotide-based therapies, enhancing Ireland's position in biopharma manufacturing and attracting high-value jobs.

Partner with Mason Alexander

Ireland’s Life Sciences sector is experiencing unprecedented growth, with substantial investments and job creation across the country. Companies are leveraging Ireland’s rich talent pool and robust R&D ecosystem to drive innovation and expand their global footprint.

For those looking to advance their careers in this dynamic industry or seeking top talent to fuel their company’s growth, partnering with Mason Alexander offers unparalleled expertise and access to Ireland’s thriving Life Sciences community. Whether you are a job seeker or an employer, Mason Alexander is your gateway to success in the Life Sciences sector.