The trade mission organized by Enterprise Ireland involved 2 key sector-focused events. On the pharmaceutical side, procurement experts from GlaxoSmithKline, Novartis Pharmaceuticals and Shire Pharmaceuticals and Pennsylvania Bio met with the group to discuss the opportunities and challenges that Irish companies must consider when targeting the pharmaceutical cluster in Philadelphia. On the medical technology side, an event with key decision makers from companies such as B. Braun Medical Inc., Unilife, Intact Vascular and Sapheon shared their experience engaging with Irish medical technology companies.

Pennsylvania, though largely untapped by Irish lifesciences companies represents significant opportunities, as demonstrated by companies such as Zenith Technologies who have located their US headquarters in Blue Bell, PA. There are close to 80,000 employees directly employed in the Pennsylvania life sciences industry in 2279 establishments making it one of the top Life Science clusters not only in the US but also the world.

Speaking at the event, Eddie Goodwin of Enterprise Ireland noted that “opportunities for collaboration between Irish and Pennsylvania-based life sciences companies continue to grow along with the pharmaceutical and medical technology sectors in each of these regions. We are pleased to host these Philadelphia-area events and foster introductions to further business development and partnership goals for companies in both regions.”

For more info on the mission click here