Boston Scientific invests €75m in Galway research and development centre 

New laboratories for heart-related technologies

Boston Scientific's facility in Galway.

Medical device manufacturer Boston Scientific is investing €75m at its site in Galway to expand its research and development capabilities.

The development is supported by the IDA and will include the new laboratories to allow the teams in Galway to design, develop and test new technologies in its cardiovascular section.

Boston Scientific has had a presence for more than 30 years. Today, it has 7,000 employees across sites in Galway, Cork and Clonmel producing over 30m devices each year for patients worldwide.

Medical devices exported from the Galway facility include drug-coated devices, vascular balloons and heart and oesophageal stents, used to treat patients with heart disease, vascular disease, oesophageal cancer and those at risk of stroke.

Once completed, the expanded capability will support programmes across structural heart, cardiovascular and endoscopy, as well as emerging areas such as heart failure and renal denervation technologies.

“We are seeing strong momentum across our cardiovascular business, and this investment reflects the important role the Galway site plays in that progress,” Lance Bates, executive vice president and president, Interventional Cardiology and Vascular Therapies, Boston Scientific, said. “The local team is delivering complex, highly collaborative work that is advancing meaningful innovation for patients. The strength of the site, the talent in Ireland and the support of the Irish Government and IDA Ireland give us confidence to continue investing in our future growth.”  

Rachel Shelly, Global Head of Life Sciences at IDA Ireland, said the investment in Galway reinforces Ireland’s leadership in medical technology innovation. "For more than 30 years, Boston Scientific has invested in advanced manufacturing and innovative technologies in Ireland, benefiting patients, communities and ecosystems locally and globally. IDA Ireland looks forward to continued collaboration with Boston Scientific to advance MedTech excellence.”

Minister for Education and Youth, Hildegarde Naughton said the importance of R&D and innovation to Ireland’s economy cannot be overstated. "It is achieved through a strong partnership between industry, Government and IDA Ireland and has acknowledged that Galway is now an internationally recognised MedTech hub. This is due in no small part to the presence of Boston Scientific, one of the largest life sciences employers in the country, and I want to very much thank them for their continued investment.”