BioPharmaChem Ireland calls on Government to establish Office for Life Sciences
BioPharmaChem Ireland, the Ibec group that represents Biopharmaceutical and Chemical Manufacturing, today launches its 5-year strategy, ‘Ireland– The Global Leader in Sustainable Biopharmaceutical Manufacturing’ in Brussels. Amongst the key priorities of the strategy, the group is calling on Government to establish an “Office for Life Sciences” to champion research, innovation and the use of technology to transform health and care services.
Director of BPCI Matt Moran, said: “Government needs to develop a national industrial life sciences strategy that reflects international best practice in industrial policy by embracing clustering. This should be led by the Department of Enterprise Trade and Employment and appoint appropriate resources at the Department to oversee and implement same.
“The life sciences sectors of biopharma, medtech, and digital health, have demonstrated their value in improving lives, and stimulating sustained economic growth even in the face of global challenges. Nevertheless, to achieve these industries potential and solidify our position as global leaders, we need a coordinated, and focused industrial policy to surmount rising obstacles, broadening our base from manufacturing and supply chain, creating an environment where homegrown start-ups and SMEs flourish, access to world-class talent, along with maintaining our hard-won competitiveness, while moving up the value by developing and commercialising next generation innovation.”
In 2021 the industry became worth over €100 billion to the economy in terms of exports, there are now more than 84,000 highly skilled people directly and indirectly employed in the sector and the expectation is that this will increase by up to 10,000 jobs over the next five years.
Speaking at the Brussels launch of the strategy paper, MEP Sean Kelly said: “Industry leadership has made Ireland a location of choice for business with the world’s top life sciences companies selecting here as a gateway to Europe and the world. Our reputation for manufacturing is of an indisputably high calibre with Ireland being the only country in Europe to see exports rise with growth of 5.4% largely supported by the crucial role of the life sciences industry in tackling Covid-19. To keep pace with the international business trends, and the increasing complexity of the health innovation ecosystem we need to adapt. To continue on the road to success we need to forge a new path or get left behind.”
