265 biopharma jobs for Galway and Waterford

The Irish biopharama and life sciences sector received two major boosts yesterday with the creation of 265 jobs in Waterford and Galway.

Laboratory services company Eurofins Lancaster Laboratories is to create 165 jobs in Dungarvan, Co Waterford by 2021 as part of a major expansion in Ireland.

Eurofins employs 335 staff at its campus in the IDA Business Park which is to be expanded with additions to its existing facility and the development of a new building.

“We currently serve 18 of the top 20 global pharmaceutical companies and our success is attributable mostly to the excellent commitment and technical capability of our people,” said Eurofins Lancaster Laboratories managing director Carmel Fitzpatrick.

“We invest heavily in our internal training programmes, and we are grateful to be supported by the IDA and the Skillnets to deliver technical competency in our team that is world-class.”

IDA Ireland chief executive lauded the announcement as further proof of Ireland’s attractiveness to biopharma companies.

Medical devices and in-vitro diagnostics company Surmodics committed to creating 100 jobs in Ballinasloe, Co Galway. The Minnesota-based company is to invest more than €7m in expanding its operations after its acquisition of Creagh Medical in Ballinasloe last November.

The company will invest a further €9.5m in two significant R&D projects in its new Galway facility which will require a high level of engineering, chemistry and scientific skill.

“We are pleased to have established a presence in a location where we can hire and develop highly skilled medtech personnel,” said Surmodics CEO Gary Maharaj.