Ireland’s crucially important pharma sector recently came together at the 10th Pharma Industry Awards (PIA) to celebrate the best the sector has to offer.
The pharma industry is vital to Ireland’s economy, representing about one third of all manufacturing. According to the Central Statistics Office, the pharmaceutical sector reported the highest net selling value of all manufacturing – at €42.3 billion – in 2022. This represented 32 per cent of the €132 billion total value of all products made in Ireland.
Hundreds of the sector’s finest came together at The Clayton Hotel, Silver Springs, Co Cork for a gala night in October, hosted by broadcaster, comedian and author Colm O’Regan. There were a staggering 28 awards showcasing the very best of the industry.
One of the judges, Patricia Ennis Gillen, a retired lecturer from TU Dublin, put the awards in context: “This event provides an opportunity for the pharma industry in Ireland to showcase its premium projects and their impact. In addition, it provides an occasion for pharma companies not headquartered in Ireland to have their efforts recognised and benchmarked against similar companies that compete in international markets.”
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The overall winner, the pharma industry company of the year, was Janssen Sciences Ireland. Dana Daneshvari, its general manager, said: “This achievement is a testament to our dedicated team for their hard work, innovation and unwavering commitment to our patients and their caregivers. Together, we are pushing the boundaries to lead where medicine is going.”
The award sponsor was Kuehne+Nagel. Seamus Keane, the company’s national business development manager healthcare, said: “Kuehne+Nagel were proud to support the Pharma Industry Awards again this year as title sponsor. It is really important to recognise the incredible work and research being undertaken in Ireland, which leads to the development of genuinely life-changing and life-saving medicines, treatments and medical devices. The Pharma Industry Awards is a fantastic event that allows the industry to come together for one night to celebrate the incredible achievements of all.”
The pharma company of the year – large went to Takeda Ireland. Shane Ryan, the company’s general manager, said: “I’m incredibly proud of the team at Takeda Ireland, who are achieving significant advancements in Ireland and globally. We were thrilled and honoured to win four categories, representing our commitment to the patients we serve, our people and the planet.”
Actylis sponsored the larger pharma company award. Paul Staunton, director of global marketing communications biopharma and nutrition division marketing lead, said: “Actylis are proud to be a sponsor of the Pharma Industry Awards. Congratulations to everyone involved, especially to the award winners. The high standard of work that we saw at the PIAs is testament to the quality of the pharma industry in Ireland. Onwards and upwards!”
The pharma leader 2023 (sponsored by Asgard Cleanroom Solutions) went to Matt Moran, director of BioPharmaChem Ireland, who was also chair of the overall awards judging panel. He said: “Strong leadership is critical in this industry. It provides sophisticated solutions to patients’ needs. It’s a highly advanced manufacturing sector and competes globally, so it’s important for the economy. There’s a huge amount of investment going on at the moment, with many multi-billion-dollar investments in capital from companies such as MSD, Pfizer and Estella, so I am extraordinarily optimistic for the future.”
Just making the shortlist was a welcome achievement for many. Gareth Sheridan, chief executive of finalist Nutriband, said: “The Pharma Industry Awards is an inspiring showcase of the innovation and impact that the Irish pharmaceutical industry has on the global stage each year. The entire Nutriband team was delighted to receive five shortlist nominations among some of the world’s largest companies.”
Roy Fahy, operations director at awards sponsor Unispace Life Sciences welcomed the opportunities the awards bring: “This is our fourth year sponsoring this event. We very much appreciate the opportunity to celebrate our clients and the successes they have achieved. This is Unispace Life Sciences’ opportunity to support and say thank you for everyone’s contribution to the industry. It is very much a night of celebrating the innovation, dedication, and hard work by everyone.”
Laragh de Bhulbh, executive chairman of finalist Wolf Medical, added: “Now is an exciting time in the Irish pharma industry, with companies focusing on forging partnerships and developing innovative solutions to improve patients’ lives.”
Speaking at the awards, Kevin O’Driscoll, director partnership programmes at BusinessRiver, said: “Events like this are made possible through the support of sponsors. We are thankful to our 2023 sponsors and professional partners, which include Kuehne+Nagel, Cognizant, Actylis, Asgard Cleanroom Solutions, Micro-Bio Ireland, Unispace Life Sciences, CBRE, BOC Gases Ireland, Baker Finn Recruitment, Eurofins Biopharmaceutical Product Testing, BioPharmaChemSkillnet, Camida, Ecolab Life Sciences, Indaver, Controlled Environments Company (CEC), Cpl, SkyCell, KPC International, QuickSTAT A Kuehne+Nagel Company, H2 Compliance, Synergy Security Solutions, Next Generation, LotusWorks, Ellab Ireland, OBW Technologies, and BioPharmaChemIreland. Their investment in the awards underlines their commitment and support of this key business area.”
The awards were judged by a distinguished panel of experts drawn from all areas of the pharma industry.
Full list of judges
- Matt Moran (judging co-ordinator), director, BioPharmaChem Ireland
- David Brayden, professor of advanced drug delivery, University College Dublin
- Rachel Carmichael, executive director, NSF
- Adrienne Fleming, senior lecturer, TU Dublin
- Eoin Fleming, school of pharmacy and school of biochemistry and cell biology, University College Cork
- Michael Gillen, senior executive, BioPharmaChem Ireland
- Patricia Ennis Gillen, lecturer (retired), TU Dublin
- Anne Greene, head of part-time education in the school of chemical and biopharmaceutical sciences, TU Dublin
- John Henchion, VP for Europe, CAI
- Helena Kelly, professor drug delivery, RCSI
- Damien Keogh, chief executive and director, BluMaiden Biosciences
- Sandra Lenihan, lecturer in chemical and biopharma engineering, Munster Technological University
- Anita Maguire, professor, University College Cork
- John Milne, director of training, National Institute for Bioprocessing Research and Training
- Bernard Naughton, assistant professor, Trinity College
- Kieran Nolan, associate professor, school of chemical sciences, Dublin City University
- Joseph O’Shea, lecturer in pharmaceutics and director of the MSc in pharmaceutical technology and quality systems in the school of pharmacy, University College Cork
- Lorcan O’Toole, senior director, NPI and alliance management, Aerie Pharmaceuticals
- Bernadette Whelan, lecturer, South East Technological University
Full list of winners
1. Pharma industry company of the year (Sponsored by Kuehne+Nagel)
Winner: Janssen Sciences Ireland
2. Pharma leader 2023 (Sponsored by Asgard Cleanroom Solutions)
Recipient: Matt Moran
3. Pharma company of the year – large (Sponsored by Actylis)
Winner: Takeda Ireland
4. Pharma company of the year – SME (Sponsored by Kuehne+Nagel)
Winner: Biostór Ireland
5. Biotech company of the year (Sponsored by Micro-Bio Ireland)
Winner: Janssen Sciences Ireland
6. Biopharma company of the year (Sponsored by Kuehne+Nagel)
Winner: Takeda Ireland
7. Pharma research centre of the year (Sponsored by Eurofins Biopharmaceutical Product Testing)
Winner: NIBRT
8. Innovation of the year (Sponsored by LotusWorks)
Winner: Blynksolve
9. Pharma project of the year – large (Sponsored by Unispace Life Sciences)
Winner: Janssen Sciences Ireland
10. Pharma project of the year – small (Sponsored by OBW Technologies)
Winner: Pfizer Ireland Pharmaceuticals
11. Best use of technology award (Sponsored by Cognizant)
Winner: Embedding innovation at Global Business Solutions – Eli Lilly
12. Partnership alliance of the year (Sponsored by Controlled Environments Company (CEC))
Winner: Metabolomic Diagnostics and Squ4re
13. Pharma facility of the year (Sponsored by Synergy Security Solutions)
Winner: MSD Biotech, Dublin
14. Operational excellence award (Sponsored by KPC International)
Winner: Lightspeed – Pfizer Ringaskiddy
15. Communications award (Sponsored by Next Generation)
Winner: Finding Von Willebrands – Takeda
16. Health and safety award (Sponsored by CBRE)
Winner: Eli Lilly
17. Corporate social responsibility programme of the year (Sponsored by Camida)
Winner: Employee development and community commitment in CSR – Janssen Sciences Ireland
18. Research and development achievement award (Sponsored by Baker Finn Recruitment)
Winner: Metabolomic Diagnostics
19. Sustainability initiative of the year (Sponsored by Indaver)
Winner: Protecting our planet – Takeda Ireland
20. HR achievement award (Sponsored by Cpl)
Winner: Eli Lilly Cork
21. Engineering project of the year (Sponsored by BOC Gases Ireland Ltd)
Winner: Janssen Sciences Ireland
22. Supply chain achievement award (Sponsored by SkyCell)
Winner: Supply chain excellence – Pfizer Ireland Pharmaceuticals
23. Product impact award (Sponsored by Ellab Ireland)
Winner: Horizon Therapeutics, now part of Amgen
24. Pharma education and training award (Sponsored by Ecolab Life Sciences)
Winner: WiLD programme – BioPharmaChem Skillnet, Careervision and Kennedy Insights
25. Pharma contract services company of the year (Sponsored by QuickSTAT A Kuehne+Nagel Company)
Winner: Eurofins BPT
26. Pharma supplier of the year (Sponsored by H2 Compliance)
Winner: Hanley Calibration
27. Graduate training programme of the year (Sponsored by BioPharmaChem Skillnet)
Winner: Bristol Myers Squibb
28. Responsible care award 2023 (Sponsored by BioPharmaChem Ireland)
Winner: ‘See Green, Be Green’ – MSD Ireland
