The biopharma and biotech sectors have been extremely fruitful this year, with more than 830 jobs announced so far.
As it’s Life Sciences Week here at Siliconrepublic.com, we’re talking about the opportunities out there for those interested in pursuing a career in biotech, pharma or medtech.
The need to develop and maintain a talent pipeline to fill these biopharma jobs is essential because there is a huge number of jobs in the industry.
So far this year, more than 830 jobs have been announced in the biopharma sector, many of which are being filled.
The biggest announcement came yesterday (30 May) with pharma giant MSD announcing 330 jobs in Cork and Carlow due to a massive €280m expansion.
More than 200 new hires will be needed at its Brinny facility in Co Cork to meet demand for work on some of the company’s important treatments, including medicines for lung cancer, melanoma, hepatitis C and rheumatoid arthritis.
At MSD’s Carlow base, 120 biopharma jobs will be created to facilitate production of new immuno-oncology treatment for the global market.
MSD is not the only one announcing triple-figure jobs.
Back in April, biotech giant Shire moved its Dublin base from Citywest to the city centre, with plans to double its employees to 300 over the coming months. Shire’s core areas include haematology, immunology, neuroscience, ophthalmics, lysosomal storage disorders and gastrointestinal diseases.
In January, Northern Irish pharma group Almac announced plans to build a new facility in Dundalk, creating 100 jobs in the process. This will be the third Almac-owned facility in Ireland and the jobs will be created over the next two years.
Various start-ups also boosted the biotech sector with jobs in Cork. Enterprise Ireland announced between 10 and 15 jobs each for AventaMed, EviView, Intelligent Implants and Rinocloud at the start of April.
The focus of these companies range from manufacturing medtech devices to developing management software for biotech companies.
In Dublin, more than 100 jobs were revealed on top of Shire’s announcement in April.
Earlier this month, Mallinckrodt brought almost half of them, with 45 roles created to fill its new global medical device engineering centre in Blanchardstown.
The Irish Manufacturing Research centre announced 40 jobs at its Dublin facility a few weeks ago, while drug analytics player Diaceutics created 30 Dublin jobs.
In February, Aralez Pharmaceuticals opened a Dublin office with a promise of jobs, though the specific number was not revealed.
Almost 100 biopharma jobs were announced in the first month of the year, with Aerie Pharmaceuticals bringing 50 jobs to Athlone and Cirdan Imaging creating 46 jobs in Lisburn.
Check out the highlights of the biopharma jobs announced in 2017 so far below.
1. MSD to create 330 new jobs in Cork and Carlow in massive €280m expansion
Response to global demand for MSD’s medicine prompts major investment in Cork and Carlow.
2. Biotech giant welcoming 150 new recruits into the Shire
With a move of office and an expanded floor space, biotech company Shire is looking to fill 150 new positions over the next couple of months.
3. Pharma group Almac to create 100 jobs at new Dundalk facility
Northern Irish pharma group Almac announced plans to build a new facility in Dundalk back in January, which will result in the creation of 100 jobs in the first two years.
4. Aerie Pharmaceuticals is to create 50 new jobs in Athlone
A welcome 50 new jobs are to be created Aerie Pharmaceuticals, which entered into a lease agreement with the IDA to establish a new manufacturing plant at the start of the year.
5. Medical firm Cirdan Imaging creates 46 jobs in Lisburn in £2m push
Northern Ireland-based Cirdan Imaging has invested £2m into its Lisburn operation.
6. Pharma giant creating 45 jobs with new Blanchardstown hub
A new engineering centre in Blanchardstown will see up to 45 new hires at Mallinckrodt.
7. UK patent firm Keltie opens office in Galway to tap into medtech start-ups
Patent and intellectual property firm Keltie announced that it will open a new office in Galway to tap into the area’s medtech scene.
8. 40 jobs announced at new Irish Manufacturing Research facility
A total of 40 jobs are being created at the new Irish Manufacturing Research facility in Dublin, working with the Government, industry and academia.
