Tánaiste meets with biopharma companies on defeating Covid-19

The Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment Leo Varadkar TD today (Tuesday the 6th of October) convened a meeting with a number of IDA Ireland’s bio -pharmaceutical client companies to hear about the crucial role they are playing in the public health response to the COVID-19 pandemic, both nationally and internationally. 

The meeting, which was held over video conference included several of the bio pharmaceutical companies who are developing vaccines or therapeutic treatments in Ireland, which are: Pfizer, Eli Lilly, Gilead, Regeneron, Sanofi and Janssen Sciences, and focused on the work been done in Ireland to assist in the global efforts to treat COVID-19.

Speaking after the meeting the Tánaiste said:

I convened this meeting today with six of the major bio-pharmaceutical companies based here in Ireland to get an update from them on their progress towards developing a vaccine and treatments to defeat COVID-19. It was really interesting to hear from them how they are getting on and I was encouraged by some optimism around progress that is being made, while recognising of course that there is still a lot of work to be done.

Ireland is a really attractive location for bio-pharma and other high-tech companies to invest and with all of these major global companies based here, we have a real role to play in finding treatments and a vaccine for this virus. I also took the opportunity today to thank the companies and the 34,000 people they employ here, for the work they have been doing over the past few months to defeat Covid.”

 All participating firms agreed to keep government updated on developments.

 IDA Ireland’s Head of Head of Lifesciences Michael Lohansaid:

The FDI biopharma sector has a hugely significant impact on the Irish economy with 34,000 people directly employed and is the 3rd largest exporter of pharmaceuticals globally, accounting for exports of €80bn.

The sector has demonstrated commitment to Ireland through continued investment, longevity and resilience. The industry has demonstrated real leadership in the global fight against Covid-19 through collaboration on research to dynamic supply chain responses, directly supporting the demands placed on healthcare system and wider society.