Taoiseach officially opens Zenith’s US Office. Pictured (l-r) are: Jim Lehane; Zenith Technologies, Mike Smith; Zenith Technologies, Pennsylvania State Rep Mr. Brendan Boyle, Sean O’Connor; Zenith, Eddie Goodwin; Enterprise Ireland, Brendan O’Regan; CEO Zenith Technologies, An Taoiseach Mr Enda Kenny T.D., Congresswoman Allyson Schwartz.

In October, the Taoiseach, Enda Kenny TD, participated in a two day Enterprise Ireland programme to visit a number of Irish life sciences companies in Philadelphia and Cleveland.

The programme began with the official opening of Zenith Technologies’ new US headquarters in Philadelphia. With its global headquarters in Ireland, Zenith Technologies provides automation and manufacturing execution systems (MES) engineering services to the life sciences industry.

Speaking at the event, the Taoiseach acknowledged that Zenith Technologies and other leading high-technology companies supported by Enterprise Ireland would continue to drive export growth, underpin Ireland’s economic prosperity and support valuable Irish jobs in the future.

Also in attendance at the official opening of Zenith Technologies’ US headquarters were Allyson Schwartz, the U.S. Representative for Pennsylvania’s 13th congressional district; and Kate Harper and Brendan Boyle – both members of the Pennsylvania House of Representatives.

The event in Philadelphia was followed by a visit to the Cleveland Clinic where it was announced that the Irish-based company, i360medical has formed a strategic partnership with the Cleveland Clinic and its Innovation Alliance. Through the partnership, i360medical will represent the European wing of Cleveland Clinic’s Innovation Alliance programme which includes North Shore LIJ, MedStar Health, Promedica and Notre Dame.

Derek Young, founder and CEO of i360medical noted that the collaboration would facilitate the commercialisation of technology and innovative ideas in the healthcare industry using Ireland as a launch pad for emerging companies.

Enterprise Ireland has a long established relationship with the Cleveland Clinic, and the partnership between i360medical and Cleveland Clinic is the result of introductions brokered by Enterprise Ireland.

Following an official tour of Cleveland's top Cardiovascular Hospital and 4th highest ranked healthcare Center in the world, An Taoiseach spent time meeting with a number of Enterprise Ireland companies who are partnering with and winning business from the Cleveland Clinic.

Rigney Dolphin from Waterford operates a successful “Nurse on Call” service for the Clinic. The company has already handled over 12 Million calls by qualified nurses based in Waterford for Ohio patients of the Clinic The indigenous Irish companies: Proxy Biomedical and Creganna-Tactx have recently established US “beachhead operations” in the Cleveland Clinic to access Clinician expertise and business development opportunities in the hospital which has over 40,000 employees.

Frank Ryan; CEO Enterprise Ireland, Dr Brian O’Neill; Enterprise Ireland, Dr Thomas Graham; Cleveland Clinic, An Taoiseach Mr. Enda Kenny T.D., Eddie Goodwin; Enterprise Ireland, Chris Coburn; Cleveland Clinic; Dr Brian Griffin; Cleveland Clinic.

Speaking at an event in Cleveland Clinic, the Taoiseach said: “I strongly welcome this latest successful outcome of the relationship that exists between Ireland and the Cleveland Clinic.

Healthcare and life sciences is a sector that holds particular potential for growth and job creation and is a key sector in the Government’s Action Plan for Jobs. This latest alliance is further endorsement of the international calibre of Ireland’s indigenous healthcare sector. The Government, through Enterprise Ireland, is keen to support and promote more strategic international collaborations such as this one to enhance innovation and generate break-through research. I trust that this will be a mutually beneficial alliance for both i360 Medical and Cleveland Clinic that will yield significant benefits for both organisations.”

During the Philadelphia visit the Taoiseach also discussed Enterprise Ireland’s planned Life Science Trade Mission to Pennsylvania mid next year to introduce Irish Pharma and Med Device companies to the significant cluster in Pennsylvania where over 80% of the world’s big pharma have operations.

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